Study of solid-state reactions in Sm(Co, Fe, Cu, Zr)z 2:17-type alloys by means of in situ electrical resistivity measurements

In the present work, solid-state reactions in Sm2(Co, Fe, Cu, Zr)17-type alloys have been investigated by means of in situ electrical resistivity measurements. Changes in the electrical resistivity of a Sm(Co0.74Fe0.1Cu0.12Zr0.04)8.5 alloy after solid solution treatment at 1190 °C, quenching to room temperature, and during isothermal ageing at temperatures between 400 and 900 °C, have indicated microstructural/phase changes occurring at temperatures below those commonly used for the development of high coercivity in Sm(Co, Fe, Cu, Zr)z-type materials. Subsequent crystallographic and magnetic transition measurements have shown a high degree of correlation with respect to the changes observed in the electrical resistivity during isothermal ageing.