Magnetic properties and microstructure of nanocomposite Pr2Fe14(B,C)∕α‐Fe melt-spun ribbons

The phase evolution, microstructure, and magnetic properties of melt-spun Pr11Febal.B8−xCx (x=0–8) and Pr11Febal.Co10B6C2 nanocomposites have been investigated. Summarizing the results of x-ray diffraction and thermal magnetic analysis for Pr11Febal.B8−xCx series ribbons, magnetically soft Fe3B and α‐Fe phases are found to coexist with magnetically hard 2:14:1 phase for carbon-free (x=0) ribbons; three phases, namely, 2:14:1, Pr2Fe17Cy, and α‐Fe, appear for x=2–6, while 2:14:1 phase is almost not formed in Pr11Febal.C8 ribbons. The optimal magnetic properties of Br=9.4kG, Hci=9.3kOe, and (BH)max=17.3MGOe are obtained in Pr11Febal.B6C2. Substitution of 10at.% Co for Fe in Pr11Febal.B6C2 ribbons refines the grain size of the existing 2:14:1, Pr2Fe17Cy, and α‐(Fe,Co) phases and enhances the magnetic properties of the ribbons to Br=9.8kG, Hci=10.4kOe, (BH)max=19.0MGOe.