Structure, Curie temperature, and magnetostriction of Sm1−xPrxFe2 alloys

Abstract

The structure, Curie temperature, and magnetostriction of Sm1−xPrxFe2 alloys have been investigated using optical microscopy, x-ray diffraction, ac susceptibility, diffractometer step scanning and standard strain gauge techniques. It is found that the matrix of homogenized Sm1−xPrxFe2 alloys is the (Sm,Pr)Fe2 phase with MgCu2-type structure up to x=0.3, and the minor phases, both (Sm,Pr)Fe3, and rare earth-rich phase appear. The lattice parameter of the alloys increases slowly with increasing Pr content, but the Curie temperature goes the opposite way. The room temperature magnetostriction |λ∥−λ⊥| and easy direction magnetostriction |λ111| of Sm1−xPrxFe2 alloys exhibit a peak near x=0.1.