Microstructure and magnetic properties of Nd₆₀Al₁₀Fe₂₀Co₁₀ glass-forming alloy

The microstructural variations of the Nd₆₀Al₁₀Fe₂₀Co₁₀ melt-spun ribbons and the as-cast rod were studied by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry. Nano-clusters in glassy matrix in both melt-spun ribbon and the as-cast rod samples were observed by HRTEM, though no obvious crystalline reflections were displayed in either the XRD or selected area electron diffraction patterns. The magnetic properties of the rod sample were compared to that of the ribbons. It was found that the coercivity of the alloy increases with the size of the nano-scaled clusters, while the cluster size increases with the reduction of cooling rate at which the sample were prepared. The relationship between the microstructure and magnetic and thermal properties of the Nd based alloy were discussed by random anisotropy model.