Nd5Fe17 (also referred to as A2-phase) was prepared by rapid-quenching
and subsequent annealing. Due to the fine, homogeneous distribution o
f the elements in the melt-spun ribbons, only a short reaction time wa
s required in the annealing treatment. The samples are almost single-p
hase, as revealed by x-ray and magnetization measurements. Unlike Nd2F
e17, the A2-phase does not interstitially dissolve nitrogen but decomp
oses into NdN and alpha-iron.