Mossbauer spectroscopy of the melt-spun Nd(FeB)(n) alloys

Fe-rich Nd-Fe-B ternary compounds are of great technological interest becau se of their superior magnetic properties such as high coercivity and large energy product [Rev. Mod. Phys. 63 (1991) 819]. Generally these materials a re prepared by the melt-spinning technique which has proved to be highly su ccessful in the production of engineering materials in the form of ribbons, wires and strips. With this technique not only a diverse range of alloying can be achieved but also both crystalline and amorphous phases can be prod uced. Here, Mossbauer spectroscopic measurements have been made to study th e composition effect in the mwelt-spun Nd(FeB)(n), (2 less than or equal to n less than or equal to8) alloys. The alloys n less than or equal to4 are f ound to be crystalline and paramagnetic while 4 <n <5 are crystalline but c omprise paramagnetic and ferromagnetic phases. The alloys for 5 less than o r equal ton less than or equal to6 are completely amorphous but partially f erromagnetic, while for n=8 the alloy comprises partially crystalline but c ompletely ferromagnetic phases. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BY All rights res erved.