Effects of Ga substitution for Fe on the structure and magnetic properties of Nd8.4Fe87.1−xGaxB4.5 (x=0–2.2) alloys prepared by mechanical alloying

The effects of a partial substitution of Ga for Fe on the structure and magnetic properties of mechanically alloyed Nd8.4Fe87.1B4.5 were studied. With increasing Ga content, the magnetic properties of the nanocomposite magnets first improve, reach maxima at 1.1 at. % Ga, and then degrade. The addition of Ga helps to control the morphology, especially the grain sizes of both alpha-Fe and Nd2Fe14B. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(00)22308-6].