Effect of the Zr-substitution on the Structural and Magnetic Properties of SmFe10Si2 System

Abstract

Structural and magnetic characterization of melt-spun ribbons of Sm_1-xZr_xFe₁₀Si₂ (0.1 \(\le\) x \(\le\) 0.6) has been studied using X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The formation of the tetragonal ThMn₁₂-type structure has been observed in all alloys, without further annealing. Unit cell parameters are changing gradually with the incorporation of Zr; however, a and c parameters are affected in different degree due to the preference of Zr for RE atomic positions and thus the c/a ratio is increasing. The Curie temperature decreases linearly with Zr substitution from 595 K for x=0.1 to 668 K for x=0.6. The saturation magnetization does not change appreciably in the interval from x=0.1 (123.9 Am²/kg) to x=0.5 (126.0 Am²/kg), but then decreases to 94 Am²/kg for x=0.6. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer Spectroscopy on magnetically aligned samples revealed that Zr introduction affects magnetocrystalline anisotropy.