Structural, magnetic and magnetoelastic properties of Laves-phase Tb0.3Dy0.6Nd0.1(Fe1-xCox)1.93 compounds (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.40)

• EMD is detected by XRD on magnetic-field aligned powders.
• Experimental evidence is obtained for Co contribution in magnetic anisotropy.
• Large magnetostriction (λS∼930 ppm, λa∼670 ppm/3 kOe) is obtained for x = 0.20.

Structure, magnetization and magnetostriction of Tb0.3Dy0.6Nd0.1(Fe1-xCox)1.93 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.40) compounds have been investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows the presence of single Laves phase with a cubic MgCu2-type structure. The easy magnetization direction (EMD) is observed to be <111> direction when x ≤ 0.10, and deviates away with further increasing Co contents. The Co contributes an opposite role in the resultant magnetocrystalline-anisotropy compared to Tb. A small amount of Co substitution for Fe can enhance the Curie temperature for x ≤ 0.25. The magnetocrystalline-anisotropy compensation can be achieved in this system. A minimum in anisotropy is obtained for the Tb0.3Dy0.6Nd0.1(Fe0.8Co0.2)1.93 compound, which has good magneto-elastic properties, e.g., the large saturation magnetostriction λS (∼930 ppm) and the high low-field magnetostriction λa (∼670 ppm/3 kOe), and may make it technological interest in the field of magnetostrictive materials.