Magnetic properties of cubic borides

Magnetic properties of borides between the compositions Co21Sn2B6 and Ni21Sn2B6 are investigated. The magnetic properties include the determination of (1) saturation magnetization at room temperature, (2) saturation magnetization at liquid nitrogen temperature, (3) saturation magnetic moments per gram, (4) Bohr magnetons per magnetic atom, and (5) Curie temperatures. The apparatus used for determining the magnetic properties was a vibrating-sample magnetometer with high and low temperature accessories, namely a miniature furnace attachment and a cryostat, capable of operating in the range from liquid nitrogen to 10000C. Saturation magnetization at liquid nitrogen and the number of Bohr magnetons per magnetic atom were found to be as high as 0.585 Wb/m2 (5850 gauss) and 0.689 Bohr magnetons for the alloy Co21.17Sn1.74B6.09 and as low as 0.0444 Wb/m2 (444 gauss) and 0.053 Bohr magnetons per magnetic atom for Co8.47Ni12.7Sn1.74B6.09. The Curie temperatures ranged from a high of 4750K to a low value of 1810K. The atomic moments of the alloys under investigation appear to lie on the downward branch of the Slater-Pauling curve of atomic moments versus atomic number. Quantitative magnetic information could not be obtained for alloys of compositions between Co8.47Ni12.7Sn1.74B6.09 and Ni21.17Sn1.74B6.09 because of the limitations of the equipment. (U.S.)