Characterization of Nanostructured Magnetic alloy Based on Fe- Nd-Gd-B Produced by Mechanical Synthesis

This paper examines the effect of Nd substitution by Gd on the exchange coupling in the Nd₂Fe₁₄B nanocomposite. The structural, microstructural, and magnetic properties of Fe76 Nd(16-X) GdXB8 alloy (X = 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16) were investigated. Nanocrystalline alloy samples Fe76 Nd(16-X) GdXB8 (in atomic percentages) were prepared from pure elemental powders by mechano-synthesis. The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), which helped track the dissolution of neodymium and gadolinium in the iron matrix. The maximum crystallite size obtained was 6.5 nm with a microstrain of 1.49% for our powders. Magnetic characterization was performed using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Results indicate that the optimal Gd concentration for magnetic refrigeration applications is approximately 4%, which provides a balance between superior magnetic coercivity, thermal stability, and nanostructured grain refinement. This finding suggests that the Fe76Nd12Gd4B8 alloy is most suitable for such applications, combining desirable magnetic properties with enhanced microstructural characteristics.