Structure and microwave absorption properties of Pr-Fe-Ni alloys

The Pr2Fe17−xNix (X=0.0, 0.2, 0.6, 1.0) alloy powders were obtained by arc smelting and high energy ball milling method. The phase structure, morphology and particle size of the powders were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser diffraction-based particle size analyzer, respectively. The saturation magnetization and electromagnetic parameters were determined by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and vector network analyzer (VNA), respectively. The results indicate that the lattice parameter and the saturation magnetization of Pr2Fe17−xNix alloys decrease with increasing Ni content. And the minimum absorption peak frequency shifts towards the higher region with increasing Ni content. Compared to the powders without heat treatment, the powders tempered at 100 °C for 2 h have better absorbing properties. The minimum reflectivity peak value of Pr2Fe16Ni alloy reaches about −23.6 dB at 2.72 GHz with the matching thickness of 3.5 mm.