Structural and magnetic studies on DyFe2–DyAl2 and DyCo2–DyAl2

Abstract

Both pseudobinary systems are constituted of broad homogeneous regions of cubic and hexagonal Laves phase type. Ordering tendencies on crystallographic sites between Al and the transition metal are studied in the hexagonal type. Magnetic investigations have been carried out only in the ordered regime. It is found that electron transfer from Al to the transition metals quenches their moments to the effect that they become nonmagnetic at high Al concentrations. At cryogenic temperatures the magnetization behavior of powdered specimens is complex in the intermediate region of concentration. Considerable magnetic hardness and anisotropy develops, and in DyFe₂–DyAl₂ pronounced spontaneous increases in magnetization with field occur as a result of the presence of highly energetic domain walls. The complex interplay of effects from disordered magnetic components, the crystalline electric field, and domain‐wall effects is discussed and compared with findings in related systems.