Cost effective modification of SmCo5-type alloys

In the present work we present a preliminary experimental and ab-initio study of a series of compounds with nominal composition Sm1-xMMxCo5-y-zFeyNiz (x = 0 – 0.7; y = 0.5 – 1.5; z = 0.5 – 1). Compounds with MM content up to 50% were successfully synthesized in CaCu5-type structure, retaining uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Magnetization values are within the 85 to 50 Am2/kg range, with Ni content playing a significant role in stabilization of the structure at the cost of magnetization weakening. Theoretical calculations predict higher magnetization values, especially in the case of SmCo2.5Fe1.5Ni compound with a value close to that of SmCo5.