Magnetic and Magnetocaloric Properties of Bulk and Rapidly Quenched GdTbDyHoEr High-Entropy Alloys

The bulk GdTbDyHoEr magnetic high-entropy alloy is prepared by induction melting; the same alloy in the form of ribbons is prepared by rapid quenching from the melt. Peculiarities of the structure and magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of these materials are analyzed. The both states of the alloy are characterized by the hexagonal structure. The magnetic entropy change ΔSM is determined using measured magnetic isotherms and Maxwell’s relations. The maximum ΔSM is observed at 175 K and, for a magnetic field change of 2 T, it is 1.8 and 2.6 J/kg К for the bulk and rapidly quenched alloys, respectively. Taking into account the determined parameters of magnetocaloric effect, the alloys show promise as materials for applications in magnetic refrigeration devices.