Giant magnetostriction behaviour of submicrocrystalline terbium

The giant magnetostriction of terbium is investigated in its different structural states (from submicrocrystalline to a coarse grained structure). The value of magnetostriction in submicrocrystalline state is less than that of coarse grained state by factor of 2.7 in the same magnetic field. The magnetostriction of all structural states follows hysteresis loops during changing the magnetic field magnitude with an enhanced value of coercivity in the submicrocrystalline state and without coercivity in the coarse grained state. (orig.)