Coercivity enhancement in melt-spun SmCo5 by Sn addition

Additions of Sn to SmCo4.7 alloy were found to increase the coercivity of melt-spun ribbons by forming an Sn-rich non-magnetic grain boundary phase. The highest coercivity of 2.56 MA/m (32 kOe) was obtained for the composition SmCo4.7Sn0.08. Microstructures of the melt-spun alloys SmCo4.7Snx (x = 0–0.35), SmCo7Sn0.08 and Sm1.25Co4.7Sn0.25 were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, energy filtered electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction in order to discuss the increase in coercivity.