Magnetic properties and coercivity mechanism of precipitation-hardened Gd–Co based ribbons

Gd(Co_0.88−xCu_xFe_0.09Zr_0.03)_z ribbons withx = 0.075−0.200 and z=6.4–7.7 have been prepared by a melt-spinning technique. A cellular microstructure consisting of 2:17 cells surrounded by the 1:5 cell boundary phase is obtained after precipitation hardening. The dependence of room temperature coercivity on the heat treatment process suggests that the long-time isothermal aging is not helpful for the development of magnetic properties. Positive temperature coefficient of remanence from room temperature to about 673K is typical for all samples, while positive temperature coefficient of coercivity is obtained only in ribbons with low Cu content. The coercivity mechanism of the precipitation-hardened ribbons at different temperatures is also discussed.