Magnetoelastic properties of Co-doped Laves compounds TbxHo0.9−xNd0.1Fe1.93 (0≤x≤0.40)

• Anisotropy compensation is realized for the TbxHo0.9−xNd0.1(Fe0.8Co0.2)1.93 alloys.
• EMD is towards <111> axis, accompanied by a rhombohedral distortion (λ111~850 ppm).
• A large saturation magnetostriction (λS~560 ppm) is obtained for x= 0.25.

Structure, spin configuration, magnetocrystalline-anisotropy compensation, magnetization, and magnetostriction of TbxHo0.9−xNd0.1(Fe0.8Co0.2)1.93 (0 ≤x≤ 0.40) compounds are investigated. A single-phase Laves phase with MgCu2-type structure is synthesized in equilibrium conditions at ambient pressure. The easy magnetization direction (EMD) is observed toward <111> axis when x≥ 0.25, accompanied by a rhombohedral distortion with large spontaneous magnetostriction coefficients λ111. The anisotropy compensation can be achieved by evaluating EMD, magnetization and magnetostriction, and the critical point is realized to be around x=0.25. The good magnetoelastic properties, e.g., the low anisotropy at room temperature, high polycrystalline saturation magnetostriction (λS~560 ppm) and large spontaneous magnetostriction coefficient (λ111~850 ppm), are achieved for the Tb0.25Ho0.65Nd0.1(Fe0.8Co0.2)1.93 compound, which may make it a promising magnetostrictive material.