Homogenization annealing and magnetic properties of a sample of the Laves phase GdNi-=SUB=-2-=/SUB=-

Abstract

The paper shows the effect of homogenization annealing on the ferromagnet-paramagnet phase transition in the GdNi2 alloy. In the cast sample, at the Curie point, a temperature hysteresis is observed, which in an external magnetic field of 13.5 T can be at least 3 degrees. The data of scanning electron microscopy of the electropolished samples showed a decrease in the impurity phase of GdNi and practically no temperature hysteresis of the phase transition in the annealed GdNi2 sample. The value of the isothermal change entropy Delta Sm=-18.931 J/(kg·K) for an annealed sample of the GdNi2 alloy at the Curie point of 75 K in a magnetic field of 13.5 T. Keywords: magnetocaloric effect, GdNi2, Laves phases.