Patent ID: 8424314

Claim:
A method for magnetic refrigeration comprising: providing refrigeration using a magnetocaloric agent consisting of at least one compound having the following general formula (I) and a crystalline structure of Ni 3 Sn 2 type: Mn 3-(x+x′) Fe x T′ x′ Sn 2-(y+y′) X y X′ y′ (I), in which: T′ is selected from the group consisting of: Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ru, Zr, Hf, Nb, Mo, and a rare earth element selected from the group consisting of: La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Sc, Y, and Lu, X and X′ are selected from the group consisting of: Ga, Ge, Sb, In, Al, Cd, As, P, C, and Si, 0.5<x≦1, x′≦0.5 0≦y≦0.5, 0≦y′≦0.5 y+y′≦1, and x+x′+y+y′≦2.5.