The magnetic properties and microstructure of Sm-Fe-N magnets with add
ition of Ga were studied, It was found that the coercivity initially i
ncreased and than decreased when Ga content exceeded 0.5 at%. Ga subst
ituted Fe in the lattice of Sm2Fe17 phase and formed a (Sm,Ga)-rich ph
ase at grain boundaries. Deterioration of the magnetic properties, for
Ga contents above 0.5 at%, we attribute to a reduced nitrogen solubil
ity in the lattice of the Sm-2(Fe,Ga)(17)N-x phase and lowering of its
anisotropy constants.