Phase stability and Nucleation effect upon Iron addition to SmCo5 bulk magnets

Abstract

Change in structure and magnetic properties of SmCo5-xFex permanent magnets for different values of x ranging from 0 to 2 have been studied. Structural investigation from X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirms the hexagonal CaCu5-type structure of the SmCo5-xFex ribbons for 0<x<2. The decrease in angular position of the diffraction peaks points to the lattice expansion due to the substitution of Co atoms by larger Fe atoms. Mixture of phases occurs for x>2 and has been confirmed by both XRD studies and magnetic measurements. Nucleation effect induced by the additive Fe enhances the coercivity (Hc)up to 27 kOe which is much larger than 4.5 kOe obtained for pure SmCo5.