Structure, magnetic and electrical properties of ScFe xAl 12− x alloys and their relation to the UFe xAl 12− x system

Abstract

ScFe x Al 12− x compounds exist for 4⩽ x⩽6. However, a single-phase alloy is only obtained for x=4. The x=7 sample contains considerable amounts of unidentified phases. The alloys with x⩾5 are ferromagnetic, whereas that with x=4 is antiferromagnetic. Its magnetization versus field curve at 4.2 K has, however, ferromagnetic character. The electrical resistivity of the investigated materials shows metallic character with a rather low residual-resistivity ratio. The obtained results are discussed in relation to the UFe x Al 12− x system.