A superferromagnetic approach for rapidly quenched Y₆₀Fe₃₀Al₁₀ alloys

The structural and magnetic properties of Y₆₀Fe₃₀Al₁₀ melt-spun ribbons have been studied in this work. The experimental results indicate that Y₆₀Fe₃₀Al₁₀ melt-spun ribbons are not homogeneous, i.e. Fe rich clusters are present. The magnetization curves for the ribbons melt spun at 5 and 30 m s^-1 were analysed with a model based on superferromagnetism. It was found that this superferromagnetic model can be well applied to the ribbon melt spun at 30 m s^-1. The Curie transition temperature T_C^system was confirmed by the plot of inverse susceptibility versus temperature. For the ribbon melt spun at 5 m s^-1, inter-cluster interactions were much stronger and the microstructure was not uniform. Zero-field cooling and field cooling curves showed the cluster behaviour clearly. The Mössbauer results supported the existence of Fe rich clusters and interactions between clusters.