Magnetic properties of the non-stoichiometric TbCo₂Mn_x and TbCo₂Ni_x alloys

The crystal structure, magnetic and magnetothermal properties of non-stoichiometric TbCo₂Mn_x and TbCo₂Ni_x alloys were studied. It was shown that single-phase compounds with the MgCu₂-type structure exist up to a certain content of x (x < 0.4 for compounds with Mn and x ≤ 0.1 for compounds with Ni). The concentration changes of the lattice parameter, Curie temperature, magnetic moment of the 3d sublattice in TbCo₂Mn_x and TbCo₂Ni_x alloys were compared. The magnetocaloric effect in alloys were estimated using data of magnetic and heat capacity measurements. (paper)