Structure and magnetic properties of PrFe11.5-xVxTi0.5 compounds and their nitrides

Phase formation and magnetic properties of PrFe11.5-xVxTi0.5 compounds (x = 0.5-1.5) and their nitrides have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, differential thermometric analysis (DTA) and magnetic measurements. It is found that PrFe11.5-xVxTi0.5 compounds with ThMn12-type structure can be formed by annealing the as-cast samples in a fairly wide temperature range. The substitution of V for Fe in the compounds results in a decrease of the saturation magnetization and Curie temperature. Upon nitrogenation, the Curie temperature is increased to around 739-763 K, the saturation magnetization increases by about 10%, and the anisotropy fields are all larger than 80 kOe. The PrFe11.5-xVxTi0.5Nδ compounds have excellent intrinsic magnetic properties favorable for permanent magnet materials. The hard magnetic properties of PrFe10.5VTi0.5Nδ magnets prepared by mechanical alloying technique have been assessed.