MAGNETIC-PROPERTIES OF R(2)COGA(3) (R=RARE EARTH) COMPOUNDS

R(2)CoGa(3) compounds (R = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Y) crystallize in th e hexagonal P6(3)/mcm space group. In these compounds the Co atoms hav e practically no magnetic moment. The heavy rare earth compounds order ferromagnetically with relatively low Curie temperatures (3 K (Er) le ss than or equal to T-c less than or equal to 50 K (Gd)). The compound s with Tb and Dy, and to a smaller extent the Ho compound, present irr eversibilities in their magnetization processes, and there are maxima in the zero-field-cooled susceptibility curves.