STRUCTURE, CURIE-TEMPERATURE, AND MAGNETOSTRICTION OF SM1-XPRXFE2 ALLOYS

The structure, Curie temperature, and magnetostriction of Sm1-xPrxFe2 alloys have been investigated using optical microscopy, x-ray diffract ion, ac susceptibility, diffractometer step scanning and standard stra in gauge techniques. It is found that the matrix of homogenized Sm1-xP rxFe2 alloys is the (Sm,Pr)Fe-2 phase with MgCu2-type structure up to x=0.3, and the minor phases, both (Sm,Pr)Fe-3, and rare earth-rich pha se appear. The lattice parameter of the alloys increases slowly with i ncreasing Pr content, but the Curie temperature goes the opposite way. The room temperature magnetostriction \lambda(parallel to)-lambda(per pendicular to)\ and easy direction magnetostriction \lambda(111)\ of S m1-xPrxFe2 alloys exhibit a peak near x=0.1. (C) 1996 American Institu te of Physics.