Negative Thermal Expansion of the Dy2Fe16Cr Compound*

Abstract

Structural, thermal expansion, and magnetic properties of the Dy2Fe16Cr compound are investigated by means of x-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. The Dy2Fe16Cr compound has a hexagonal Th2Ni17-type structure. There exists a negative thermal expansion resulting from a strong spontaneous magnetostriction in the magnetic state of the Dy2Fe16Cr compound. The average thermal expansion coefficient is −0.794 × 10−5/K in the temperature range 292–407 K. The spontaneous magnetostrictive deformation and the Curie temperature are discussed.