Magnetic transitions and magnetostrictive properties of Laves compounds Sm0.88Nd0.12(Fe1−xCox)1.93

The structure, magnetic and magnetostrictive properties of Sm_0.88Nd_0.12(Fe_1−xCo_x)_1.93 (0≤x≤1.0) alloys have been investigated. The alloys have the cubic MgCu₂ structure over the whole composition range and the lattice parameter a decreases with increasing x. For 0≤x≤0.2, substitution of Co for Fe slightly increases the saturation magnetization M_s and Curie temperature T_c, while further substitution causes a decrease in both M_s and T_c. The spin reorientation is observed, and a phase diagram for the spin configurations of the Sm_0.88Nd_0.12(Fe_1−xCo_x)_1.93 system is determined. The spontaneous magnetostriction λ₁₁₁ increases as x is increased, while a monotonic decrease of the saturation magnetostriction λ_s with x originates from the increase of λ₁₀₀ with opposite sign to that of λ₁₁₁, which may be caused by the filling of the d band due to Co substitution.