  We report on structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of
MnxFe1.95-xP0.50Si0.50 (x > 1.10) compounds. With increasing the Mn:Fe ratio, a
first-order magneto-elastic transition gradually changes into a first-order
magneto-structural transition via a second-order magnetic transition. The study
also shows that thermal hysteresis can be tuned by varying the Mn:Fe ratio.
Small thermal hysteresis (less than 1 K) can be obtained while maintaining a
giant magnetocaloric effect. This achievement paves the way for real
refrigeration applications using magnetic refrigerants.
