Microstructure and magnetostriction for (Dy0.65Tb0.25Pr0.1)(Fe1-xAlx)(1.8) alloys

The microstructure, Curie temperature and magnetostriction of R(Fe1-xAlx)(1.8) alloys (R=Dy0.65Tb0.25Pr0.1, x less than or equal to 0.3) have been investigated using optical microscopy, x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, positron annihilation technique, vibrating sample magnetometer, and standard strain gauge technique. It was found that the alloys are essentially single phase up to x=0.30. The defects in R(Fe1-xAlx)(1.8) decrease with increasing Al content when x less than or equal to 0.1. The magnetostriction of the alloys decreases with increasing Al content in high applied magnetic fields, but it exhibits a peak when x=0.05 in low applied magnetic fields (H less than or equal to 160 k A/m). (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.