Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of Sm2Fe17CxNy Using SmC2 as a Starting Material.

The rare earth intermetallic compounds Sm2Fe17Cx and Sm2Fe17CxNy were prepared by a casting method using SmC2 as a starting material, and their magnetic properties were investigated. Although no Th2Zn17-type compound, such as Sm2Fe17Cx, was obtained from the reaction of SmC2 and Fe metal, Sm2Fe17Cx (with x < 1) was formed from the appropriate mixture which also contained Sm metal in a single-phase form. Subsequent nitriding provided the Sm2Fe17CxNy compounds. Their magnetic properties agreed fairly well with those of Sm2Fe17Cx and Sm2Fe17CxNy prepared by the conventional method using elemental Sm, Fe and C. The results demonstrated for this preparation method that a significant amount (25 wt.%) of the expensive Sm metal can be replaced as the main raw material by cheaper SmC2, and the production cost is effectively lowered.