Electric Transport Properties of the B2 to R Phase Transition in TiNiFe Alloy

Abstract
Electric transport measurements were performed as a function of temperature across the B2 to R phase transition in a TiNi-5wt% Fe alloy, by means of electric resistivity, thermoelectric power, magnetic susceptibility and point contact spectroscopy. The first derivative of resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and thermoelectric power with temperature shows a peak at the same characteristic temperature. At lower temperatures, the resistance vs. temperatures curves revealed a small minimum at about Tc≈9K, that could be associated with some electronic transition. The dV/dl vs V curves, taken from the point contact experiments, also show asymmetric behavior at low temperatures (about 10K), indicating a kind of electronic scattering. No martensitic transformation occurred in this high Fe content alloy.