Effect of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of 〈1 1 0〉 oriented TbDyFe giant magnetostrictive material

〈1 1 0〉 oriented rods of TbDyFe giant magnetostrictive alloy have been prepared by zone melting directional solidification method followed a heat treatment for 2 h at 1173-1353 K under argon atmosphere. Effect of heat treatment on the mechanical properties and fractography of TbDyFe has been studied. It was found that the largest values of impact toughness and compression strength were achieved when the alloy was heat-treated at 1353 K. When the heating temperature was higher than the eutectic temperature, the impact toughness and compression strength were improved with heating temperature increasing. The change of mechanical properties was due to the alternation of morphology, size, distribution of rare earth-rich phase caused by heat treatment. The fracture mechanism of TbDyFe is cleavage fracture.