Rapid solidification and magnetism characteristics of Co-11.8 at%Gd and Co-7.5 at%Gd dual-magnetic ribbons at different wheel speeds

The rapidly solidified ribbons of Co-7.5 and 11.8 at%Gd alloys were obtained by the melt spinning technique. The magnetic properties were measured and the effects of the wheel speed and the heat treatment on the coercivity were examined. SEM and EDS results show that the microstructures of melt-spun ribbons vary at different wheel speeds and after the heat treatment (1073 K, 30 min), and the soft magnetic properties of annealed ribbons are better than those of quenched ones. For Co-11.8 at%Gd ribbons, the maximum saturation magnetization reaches to 65.11 emu/g at the wheel speed of 20 m/s, while the minimum value of coercivity is 75.32 Oe. For Co-7.5 at%Gd ribbons, the minimum value of coercivity is 43 Oe in the annealed ribbons at 30 m/s and the maximum value of saturation magnetization is 106.93 emu/g from the annealed ribbons at 40 m/s. Theoretical analysis indicates that the exchange coupling length of (Co) and Co17Gd2 phases is 65.3 nm, and the exchange coupling coefficient of Co-7.5 and 11.8 at%Gd ribbons is in the range of 0.023–0.089. The exchange coupling effect in Co-11.8 at%Gd ribbons is stronger than that in Co-7.5 at%Gd ribbons.