Observations on the ferromagnetic β phase of the Cu–Mn–Sn system

The copper-rich portion of the copper–manganese–tin system was investigated by X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe, and magnetometric techniques. A model for the ordering taking place in the β phase was established. Two low-temperature phases for the alloy composition Cu2MnSn were identified, and the existence of the intermetallic compound Cu4MnSn was confirmed. Another low-temperature phase was found; it is α or β manganese, and its appearance contradicts previous investigations. The saturation magnetizations were measured and correlated with a function of the long-range ordering in the β structure.