In-plane magnetic properties of as-spun YxPr1−xCo5 ribbons (x=0.25, 0.50, 0.75)

As-spun ribbons of YxPr1−xCo5 alloys with x=0.25, 0.50, and 0.75, were produced by single-roller melt spinning at wheel speeds of 5, 15, and 40 ms−1. X-ray diffraction patterns and SEM micrographs show that samples are essentially single phase with the hexagonal CaCu5-type crystal structure and dendritic microstructure. Hysteresis loops were measured in the plane of ribbons applying the magnetic field along and perpendicular to ribbon plane. Samples exhibit in-plane reduced remanence above 0.5, with a noticeable value of 0.86 for the alloy Y0.5Pr0.5Co5 quenched at v=15 ms−1. XRD patterns obtained for the surface of ribbons confirmed that the high remanence measured results from the preferential orientation of 1:5 grains with their c-axis parallel to the ribbon plane. This in-plane crystallographic texture is attributed to the directional solidification induced by thermal gradient during rapid quenching. Coercivity rises with the increase of both, Pr content and wheel speed with values in the range 1.0–5.2 kOe.