Glassy formation ability, magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in Al27Cu18Er55 amorphous ribbon

Highlights: • Al₂₇Cu₁₈Er₅₅ amorphous ribbon with good glassy formation ability were prepared. • Magnetic properties and MCE in Al₂₇Cu₁₈Er₅₅ amorphous ribbon were studied. • Large values of −ΔS_M^max, RC and RCP were observed at low temperature. • The origin of large MCE in Al₂₇Cu₁₈Er₅₅ amorphous ribbon were discussed. In this work, we have fabricated the Al₂₇Cu₁₈Er₅₅ amorphous ribbon with good glassy formation ability by melt-spinning technology. A broad paramagnetic (PM) to ferromagnetic (FM) transition (second ordered) together with a large reversible magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in Al₂₇Cu₁₈Er₅₅ amorphous ribbon was observed around the Curie temperature T_C ∼ 11 K. Under the magnetic field change (ΔH of 0–7 T, the values of MCE parameter of the maximum magnetic entropy change (−ΔS_M^max) and refrigerant capacity (RC) for Al₂₇Cu₁₈Er₅₅ amorphous ribbon reach 21.4 J/kg K and 599 J/kg, respectively. The outstanding glass forming ability as well as the excellent magneto-caloric properties indicate that Al₂₇Cu₁₈Er₅₅ amorphous could be a good candidate for low temperature magnetic refrigeration.