Effect of Yttrium on Microstructure and Magnetocaloric Properties in La1−xYxFe11.5Si1.5 Compounds

Abstract

The effects of Y on the phase composition and magnetocaloric effect in La1−xYxFe11.5Si1.5 compounds were studied. Y2Fe17-type phase and α-Fe phase appear in the annealed La1−xYxFe11.5Si1.5 compounds when x ≥ 0.07 due to small solid solubility of Y in NaZn13 phase. Y2Fe17 phase obstructs the formation of the 1:13 phase, leading to the decrease of magnetic entropy changes. But for x < 0.1, La1−xYxFe11.5Si1.5 compounds exhibit high magnetic entropy changes and low hysteresis loss compared with that of LaFe11.5Si1.5. Consequently, the La1−xYxFe11.5Si1.5 compounds (x < 0.1) are useful to realize large magnetocaloric effect with smaller hysteresis loss.