Permanent Magnetic Properties of Melt-Spun YCo5Cx, Ribbons

Ribbons of nominal compositions YCo5Cx (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6) are prepared by melt spinning at surface velocities v = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35m/s. YCo5 ribbon is crystallized in a single YCo5 phase of hexagonal CaCu5 structure. A small quantity of YCoC2 phase appears in the ribbons with C addition besides the YCo5 phase. With the increase of x the lattice constant c increases and a along with the unit cell volume decreases. The largest values of iHc = 888kA/m and (BH)max = 58.4kJ/m3 at present for the YCo5 ribbon system were obtained with x = 0.4 and v = 20 m/s. The improvement of the permanent magnetic properties is rooted in the refinement of the microstructure and the appearance of the YCoC2 phase which can act as domain wall pinning centers. (condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties)