Magnetic properties of Er 2Fe 16SiC x ( x = 0–2.5) compounds prepared by arc melting

Abstract

The formation, structure and magnetic properties of arc-cast Er 2Fe 16SiC x compounds with x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 were studied. X-Ray diffraction indicates that these carbides are single phase with Th 2Zn 17-type or Th 2Ni 17-type structure, except for Er 2Fe 16SiC 2.5 which contains a few per cent of α-Fe. Our result shows that the substitution of Si for Fe in the Er 2Fe 17C x compounds helps the formation of high carbon rare earth-iron compounds with 2:17-type structure. A structural transition from Th 2Ni 17 type to Th 2Zn 17 type is observed as x increases. The Curie temperatures are found to increase monotonically with increasing x from 413 K for x = 0 to 588 K for x = 2.5. The saturation magnetization of these compounds is essentially constant at about 63 e.m.u. g −1. Spin reorientation transitions are observed in the Er 2Fe 16SiC x compounds. The spin reorientation temperature is found to increase with carbon concentration for x ⩽ 1.5 and remains at a constant value of about 160 K for x > 1.5.