Effects of Co substitution for Fe on the structural and magnetostrictive properties of melt-spun Tb 0.2 Nd 0.8 Fe 1.9 ribbons

Abstract A series of Tb 0.2 Nd 0.8 (Fe 1− x Co x ) 1.9 ( 0.0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.4 ) Laves ribbons were prepared by arc-melting and subsequent melt-spinning technique. The effects of Co substitution for Fe on the structural and magnetostrictive properties of Tb 0.2 Nd 0.8 Fe 1.9 ribbons were investigated. Tb 0.2 Nd 0.8 Fe 1.9 ribbons consist of (Tb,Nd) Fe 2 Laves phase and a minor of rare earth but free of (Tb,Nd) Fe 3 phase. Almost single Laves ribbons can be obtained when x ⩾ 0.1 , which indicates that the Co substitution for Fe is beneficial for the formation of Laves ribbons. The lattice parameter of the Laves ribbons decreases with increasing x . The Curie temperature of the Laves phase and saturation magnetization of the ribbons both get maximum at x = 0.2. Meanwhile, the magnetostriction Tb 0.2 Nd 0.8 Fe 1.9 ribbons can be improved by a proper amount of substitution of Co for Fe.