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In the paper we present and discuss magnetic properties of the Tb(Ni1−xFex)3 (x = 0.2, 0.6) crystalline compounds and their ball-milled powders. The investigated samples are polycrystalline and crystallize in the rhombohedral PuNi3 type of crystal structure. The Curie temperature of the material seems to be independent of particle size and is constant. The coercivity depends on the amount of iron dopant. The saturation magnetization decreases after mechanical grinding which is connected with the reduction in particle size. After 6 h milling time the SEM results show the presence of nanoakes with thickness up to 100 nm or even smaller. Moreover, the pulverization leads to the observed decrease of magnetocaloric eect.

The magnetic properties and the crystal structure of the ball-milled Tb(Ni0.95Fe0.05)3compound have been studied by using magnetization measurements and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results were compared with those obtained for the bulk compound prepared by arc-melting technique. The investigated sample is polycrystalline and crystallizes in the rhombohedral PuNi3type of crystal structure (space group R-3m). With the increase of the time milling (i.e. 1 h, 24 h and 48 h) a for-mation of grains less than 1μm and a reduction of magnetocaloric effect have been observed. The analysis of XRD patterns for ball-milled powders shows that after 48h milling time there is still visible a crystalline structure.