Magnetic properties and thermal stability of PrFe2 compound

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/s0925-8388(97)00086-8

It is thought that Pr ions make a large contribution to the magnetocrystalline anisotropy and magnetostriction of Pr-Fe intermetallic compounds. It was estimated that the magnetostriction of PrFe₂ is larger than that of TbFe₂ at 0 K. In this paper, polycrystalline PrFe₂ was prepared by a high-pressure synthesis method. Its structure, magnetic properties and thermal stability were investigated. For a multi-phase specimen, the magnetostriction constant, λ_∥-λ_⊥, is 1030×10^-6, comparable to that of Terfenol-D and might be larger if the single phase PrFe₂ could be obtained. The PrFe₂ compound becomes unstable and decomposes into Pr and Fe above 630 K, so it cannot be obtained by high temperature method under normal atmosphere.