Effect of nitrogen content on magnetic properties of Sm2Fe17Nx and SmFe5Ny alloys

Magnetic properties of Sm2Fe17Nx and SmFe5Ny with different nitrogen contents were studied. It was found that the magneto-crystalline anisotropy for both Sm2Fe17Nx and SmFe5Ny alloys changes from easy plane to easy axis at x > 0.13 and y > 0.07. The 1:5, 1:3 and alpha-Fe phases coexist in homogenized SmFe5 alloy. Nitrogenation reduces the 1:3 and alpha-Fe phases, and stabilizes the 1:5 phase in SmFe5Ny alloys. The transition in magnetocrystalline anisotropy from easy plane to easy axis for Sm2Fe17Nx and SmFe5Ny alloys is gradual and dependent on nitrogen content.