Magnetic properties of Tb(Fe, Mo) 12 and Tb(Fe, Mo) 12 C compounds

Intermetallic compounds in the series TbFe 12 – x Mo x , with nominal Mo contents, x , ranging from 1.5 to 3.5, were synthesized and examined for their thermomagnetic properties. Magnetic measurements were performed in the temperature range 5 – 1130 K by using a SQUID magnetometer and a Faraday balance in combination. Synthesis of interstitially carburized TbFe 12 – x Mo x C powders by mechanical alloying with graphite and a subsequent heat treatment was attempted for the single-phase compositions between x = 2 and x = 3. The magnetic behavior of the materials (especially the coercivity) shows a number of peculiarities, which we try to explain in terms of crystal chemical and microstructural features.