STRUCTURE AND MAGNETIC-PROPERTIES OF (PRXDY1-X)FE10.5V1.5 COMPOUNDS AND THEIR NITRIDES

The structural and magnetic properties of (PrxDy1-x)Fe10.5V1.5 compoun ds (x = 0-0.8) and their nitrides have been investigated by X-ray diff raction and magnetic measurements. It is found that single-phase V-sta bilized (PrxDy1-x)Fe10.5V1.5 compounds can be formed in the Pr content range x = 0-0.8. The substitution of Dy for Pr in the compounds resul ts in the decrease in the lattice parameters and saturation magnetizat ion. The easy magnetization direction at room temperature turns from e asy c-axis for x = 0-0.3 to easy plane for x = 0.4-0.8, while the Curi e temperatures remain almost unaffected by the substitution of Dy, wit h T-C values of about 590 K. Upon nitrogenation, the Curie temperature is increased to around 820 K, and the saturation magnetization increa ses by approximately 20%, while the easy magnetization direction lies along c-axis in the temperature range 0 K to T-C. At low Dy contents, the (PrxDy1-x)Fe10.5V1.5Ny compounds have excellent intrinsic magnetic properties favourable for permanent magnet applications.