Magneto-caloric materials in addition to electro-caloric materials represent a particular type of modern materials, intended for applications in specific conditions. Especially interesting as an alternative or substitute for atmospheric harmful cooling mediums, well known from conventional cooling systems, but also suggest other options, especially in cooling systems that operate in space. The magneto-caloric material is characterized by a particular phenomenon, that is due to the presence of intrinsic magnetic moments of electrons, which in an external magnetic field align, which heats up the material. After the removal of the magnetic field, the material cools down again as it is known in gas compression and expansion. In the presentation of the study of materials and metallurgy for Slovenian secondary school pupils, there was also a brief discussion on the production and characterization of Gd5(Ge,Si)4 magneto-caloric alloys, where we added iron with the desire to reduce the proportion of expensive metalloids (Si and Ge). At the same time showing characterizations of alloys produced by electric arc, which clearly showed a problem with the homogeneity of alloys produced in this way. It was therefore necessary to proceed to the final heat treatment of alloys, so that we achieve the targeted crystal structure of the alloy, which also induces the giant magneto-caloric effect (GMCE).
D.10 Educational activities
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