Phase formation and magnetocaloric effect in (Pr,Nd)-Fe alloys prepared by rapidly quenched method

In this work, Pr2-xNdxFe17 (x = 0 - 2) ribbons with thickness of about 15 μm were prepared by melt-spinning method. The alloy ribbons were then annealed at different temperatures (900 - 1100°C) for various time (0.25 - 2 h). The formation of the (Pr,Nd)2Fe17 (2:17) crystalline phase in the alloys strongly depends on the Pr/Nd ratio and annealing conditions. Annealing time for the completed formation of the 2:17 phase in the rapidly quenched ribbons is greatly reduced in comparison with that of bulk alloys. Curie temperature, TC, of the alloys can be controlled in room temperature region by changing Pr/Nd ratio. Maximum magnetic entropy change (|ΔSm|max) and full width at haft the maximum peak (FWHM) of the magnetic entropy change of the alloys were respectively found to be larger than 1.5 J.kg−1K−1 and 40 K in room temperature region with magetic field change ΔH = 12 kOe