Structure and magnetostriction of Tb0.2Pr0.8(Fe0.4Co0.6)1.93−xCx intermetallic compounds

Abstract The structure and magnetostriction of Tb 0.2 Pr 0.8 (Fe 0.4 Co 0.6 ) 1.93− x C x intermetallic compounds were studied by X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. Almost a single cubic Laves phase forms in the alloys for x ≤0.20, and a small amount of C can inhibit the formation of the 1:3 phase. The lattice parameter increases when 0≤ x ≤0.15, while the T c and the spontaneous magnetization decreases with increasing x . The lattice parameter decreases slowly when 0.15≤ x ≤0.30, while the T c decreases evidently with increasing x . The magnetostriction λ a (= λ ∥ – λ ⊥ ) is improved at low magnetic fields at room temperature for the compounds with 0.05≤ x ≤0.10, indicating that these C-containing compounds are promising magnetostrictive materials.