Permanent magnetic properties of Sm-Fe-M-C (M = Ga, Si, and Cu) compounds with the 2:17-type structure

Abstract

The structural and magnetic properties of Sm2Fe17-xMxCy (M = Ga, Si, Cu) were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. The as-prepared Sm2Fe17-xMxCy compounds are almost a single phase with a Th2Zn17-type structure. They all exhibit a uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy at room temperature except for Sm2Fe17 and Sm2Fe15Si2. A coercivity of 11-13 kOe was obtained in melt-spun Sm2Fe17-xMxCy ribbons prepared at the speeds of 15-20 m/s at room temperature. The mechanisms of coercivity is mainly controlled by the nucleation of reversed domains. The compounds are potentially useful as permanent magnetic materials with high Curie temperatures.