Magnetocaloric properties and solid solution strengthening of Gd–C and Gd–Dy–C alloys

Abstract

In this paper, the near room temperature magnetic refrigerating solid solution alloys, Gd 1− x –C x ( x ≤ 5 at.%) and Gd 0.98− x Dy x C 0.02 ( x ≤ 20 at.%), were investigated together with a consideration of mechanical properties required by the container of the refrigerant material in a magnetic refrigerator. The results show that the micro-hardness of pure gadolinium metal can be much improved by adding carbon. The Curie temperature and adiabatic temperature changes of the Gd 1− x C x ( x < 0.05) alloys change little compared with pure gadolinium. The Curie temperature of Gd 0.98− x Dy x C 0.02 alloys can be tuned by adding dysprosium and their adiabatic temperature changes do not change much in a magnetic field change of 0–1 T.