Magnetostriction and anisotropy compensation in TbxDy1−xPr0.3(Fe0.9B0.1)1.93 alloys

Structure and magnetostriction of Dy0.7−xTbxPr0.3(Fe0.9B0.1)1.93 (0⩽x⩽0.70) alloys have been studied. The easy magnetization direction of the Laves phase in the Dy0.7−xTbxPr0.3(Fe0.9B0.1)1.93 alloys with 0⩽x<0.20 lies along 〈100〉 axis, while that of the Laves phase in those alloys with 0.25⩽x⩽0.70 lies along 〈111〉 axis, as determined by means of x-ray crystallography study. When x is increased from 0.15 to 0.25, the change of the easy magnetization direction from 〈100〉 to 〈111〉 axis is detected also by Mössbauer spectra, in good agreement with the results of x-ray crystallography. The Laves phase Tb0.25Dy0.45Pr0.3(Fe0.9B0.1)1.93 has a large spontaneous magnetostriction (λ111≈1850 ppm) and a low anisotropy at room temperature, which could make it a good candidate material for magnetostriction applications.