The low-field magnetic entropy change in melt-spun and annealed Gd ribbons

We have prepared Gd ribbons by melt-spinning. As-quenched Gd ribbon was then annealed at 750 degreesC for 2 h. The magnetic-entropy changes (\DeltaS(M)\) in these ribbons are calculated. For annealed Gd ribbon, the values of \DeltaS(M)\ at lowfield are large and the peaks in \DeltaS(M)\ - T plots are broad. The refrigerant capacity of this ribbon is significantly larger than that of bulk Gd metal. The influence of annealing on the \DeltaS(M)\ and the potential application of annealed Gd ribbons as a working material for magnetic refrigerants have been discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.