Magnetic properties and Moessbauer effect of A(Fesub(1-x)Bsub(x))2 (A = Y or Zr, B = Al or Ni) Laves phase intermetallic compounds

The crystal structures, magnetic properties, and 57Fe Moessbauer effects are studied on the A(Fesub(1-x)Bsub(x))2 (A = Y or Zr, B = Al or Ni) Laves phase intermetallic compounds over the concentration range from x = 0 to 0.4. The substitution of Al for Fe rapidly reduces the Fe magnetic moment in both the Y and Zr systems. In the Y system, beyond the concentration where the ferromagnetic ordering vanishes, the Fe moments are still retained and couple antiferromagnetically or form a spin glass. The substitution of Ni for Fe causes no remarkable change in the Fe magnetic moment in the Y system, but it reduces the Fe moment in the Zr system. (author)