Formation, structure and magnetic properties of TbFe12-xNbx compounds

TbFe12-xNbx compounds (x=0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75 and 0.8) with the ThMn1 2-type of structure have successfully been synthesized. The structural and magnetic properties of these compounds have been investigated by means of X -ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. With Nb content increasing from x=0.5 to x=0.85 the lattice parameters monotonously increase and the cryst al structure does not change. The saturation magnetization decreases monoto nously with increasing Nb content. The easy magnetization direction at room temperature has been found in the plane for all compounds. For all compoun ds investigated, an anomaly has been observed in the M-T curves measured in a field of 0.05 T, which corresponds to a change of the easy magnetization direction. The Curie temperature T-C is almost independent of the Nb conte nt while the spin reorientation temperature T-sr decreases clearly with inc reasing Nh content. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.