FORMATION, STRUCTURE AND MAGNETIC-PROPERTIES OF (ER1-XYX)(2)FE17C2

The formation, structure and magnetic properties of (Er1-xYx)(2)Fe17C2 (0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 1.0) prepared by mel t spinning were studied. Arc-melted (Er1-xYx)(2)Fe17C2 alloys are foun d to have a two-phase structure with the 2:17 phase and a predominant alpha-Fe phase. Melt spinning (ER(1-x)Y(x))(2)Fe17C2 results in the cr ystallization of the Th2Zn17-type structure at appropriate quenching r ates of v(s)=10-20 m s(-1). X-ray diffraction and thermomagnetic measu rements show that they are of single phase. The substitution of Y for Er was found to have a small influence on the unit-cell volume v and C urie temperature T-c. The saturation magnetization sigma(s) is enhance d from 77.4 to 169.0 emu g(-1), as x increases from 0 to 1.0, but the Fe magnetic moment is approximately constant. Spin reorientation trans itions are observed in the samples with x less than or equal to 0.8. T he substitution of Y decreases the uniaxial anisotropy of the Er subla ttice, resulting in a monotonic decrease in spin reorientation tempera ture from 137 K for x=0 to 44 K for x=0.8.