Magnetic properties of Fe2−Ir Zr Laves phase alloys

Abstract The magnetic properties of the Fe 2− x Ir x Zr Laves phase alloys have been studied by AC susceptibility and DC magnetization measurements and 57 Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy. We find that the magnetic behavior of this system can be explained on the basis of development of strong antiferromagnetic interactions with increasing Ir concentration. The results of the present study are compared with those of the Fe 2− x Co x Zr system reported earlier. The similarities in the magnetic behavior of these two alloy systems in spite of the contrasting effects of Ir/Co substitution on the lattice, show that environmental effects play a crucial role in determining the magnetic properties of the Fe 2− x T x Zr system.