Magnetostriction enhancement in Laves compounds (Sm,Yb)Fe-2

The magnetic and magnetostrictive properties of compounds (Sm1-xYbx)Fe-2 (0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.3) have been studied. When x < 0.15, the compounds crystallize in the cubic structure of a C15 MgCu2- type Laves phase. For x > 0.15 a small amount of (Sm,Yb)Fe-3 compound with a PuNi3-type structure appears and its amount increases with increasing Yb content. The magnetic ordering of 1:2 compounds is slightly strengthened by the substitution of Yb for Sm. Lattice parameters for Laves phase compound s keep almost unchanged for the whole range investigated, indicating the de viation from Vegard's law linear variation with composition. A magnetostric tion enhancement of about 15% when x = 0.05% both in spontaneous and polycr ystalline magnetostrictions in Sm0.95Yb0.05Fe2 has been observed, which can be ascribed to the anisotropy compensation effect. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.