Magnetic behavior of Hf(Fe,Co)2

We have proceeded with the systematic investigation of the possible origin of the magnetic behavior of the cubic Laves phase compounds of stoichiometry RB2 formed between the rare earth or Yttrium (R) and transition metals (B) with the system Hf(Fesub(1-x)Cosub(x))2. HfFe2 will not only crystallize in the cubic Laves phase but also in the hexagonal MgZn2 structure. However a few percent of Co is enough to ensure the cubic phase. Moessbauer experiments as well as magnetization measurements have been performed on eight samples of Hf(Fesub(1-x)Cosub(x))2 with x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 and 0.8 respectively