Tb solid solution and enhanced magnetostriction in Fe83Ga17 alloys

Three methods, casting, melt-quenching and melt-spinning were applied for preparing Tb-doped (Fe0.83Ga0.17)100−xTbx (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.47). The magnetostriction improved drastically by Tb solid dissolved in Fe83Ga17 alloys. A giant perpendicular magnetostrictions λ⊥ up to −886 ppm was achieved in the (Fe0.83Ga0.17)99.77Tb0.23 melt-spun ribbons. The enhanced magnetostriction was thought to be associated with the strong local magnetocrystalline anisotropy caused by the Tb doping into Fe83Ga17 alloys.