Magnetostrictive properties of a new type of Tb–Dy–Fe–Zn Laves phase compound

The magnetostriction of (Tb–Dy)Fe2 Laves phase compounds, which are generally used under compressive prestress, is strongly dependent on prestress in an application range of 0–40 MPa. Magnetostriction shows an especially pronounced decline with increasing prestress in a range of 20–40 MPa. On the other hand, this tendency for magnetostriction to decrease with increasing prestress is suppressed in Tb–Dy–Fe–Zn Laves phase compounds in which Fe has been partially substituted by Zn. Under an applied magnetic field of 80 kA/m, which is the practical operating condition of actuators, magnetorestriction displays a tendency to increase under prestress of 40 MPa compared with that of nonsubstitution compounds. Additionally, the basic properties of this newly found type of Tb–Dy–Fe–Zn Laves phase magnetostrictive compound have also been identified.