The influence of boron atoms on the magnetocaloric effect of Laves compounds Gd(Fe, Al)2

The influences of partial boron substitution on the phase formation, Curie temperature and magnetic entropy of GdFe0.3(Al(1-x)Bx)(1.7d) compounds with Laves phase structure have been studied. With addition of a small amount of boron (x < 0.05). single phase materials with Laves phase structure still form. When x >= 0.075, GdB4 appears as a secondary phase. The appropriate addition of boron (x = 0.05) decreases the change of the magnetic entropy slightly, while improving the Curie temperature by 5 K and extending the width of the peak for the magnetic entropy change. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.