The phase formation and thermal hysteresis of Gd5Si2Ge2 with the addition of transition elements (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni)

The Gd5Si2Ge2 and Gd5Si2Ge1.9T0.1 (T: Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) series alloys have been prepared by arc-melting method and annealed at 1300 °C for an hour. The phase formation and thermal hysteresis of the experimental alloys have been examined with the help of powder X-ray diffraction and optical metallographic combined with magnetic measurement. From XRD results, the alloy with the addition of Fe or Co is inclined to form the mixed Gd5Si4-type and Gd5Si2Ge2-type phase. Transition elements Mn and Ni result in the orthorhombic Gd5Si4-type phase formation in Gd5Si2Ge1.9T0.1 (T: Mn, Ni) alloys. Magnetic measurement shows that all the four experimental transition elements could reduce the thermal hysteresis of Gd5Si2Ge2.