Method of fabricating an article for magnetic heat exchanger

A method of fabricating a working component for magnetic heat exchange, comprising:

• providing at least two articles comprising a powder of a magnetocalorically active phase or a precursor powder of a magnetocalorically active phase, a binder and an elongated form with a long axis having a length l and a shortest axis having a length s, wherein l≧1.5 s, arranging the at least two articles such that the shortest axes of the at least two articles are substantially parallel to one another;
• securing the at least two articles in a position within the working component such that the shortest axes of the at least two articles are substantially parallel to one another within the working component.

A method of fabricating a working component for magnetic heat exchange, comprising:

• arranging a plurality of articles comprising a magnetocalorically active phase or elements in amounts suitable to produce a magnetocalorically active phase in at least two chains such that the orientation of the at least two chains is substantially parallel;
• securing the at least two chains in a position within the working component such that the orientation of the at least two chains is substantially parallel.