Microstructure, microchemistry, and coercivity in Sm-Co-Cu and Pr-Co-Cu 1:5 alloys

The microstructure and microchemistry of Cu-substituted SmCo5- and PrCo5-based cast alloys have been investigated using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and nanoprobe energy dispersive spectroscopy. Nanoscale precipitates with the hexagonal crystal structure have been observed in the Cu-substituted 1: 5 alloys. Results suggest that the coercivity of Cu-substituted 1: 5 alloys depends on both the Cu content of the 1: 5 matrix phase and the crystal structure of the precipitates. (C) 2003 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.