Properties of R2Fe14C compounds and their possible application as permanent magnets

Abstract
The formation of the tetragonal compounds R2Fe14C (Nd2Fe14B structure) was studied as a function of the R component. At high temperatures the tetragonal R2Fe14C phase transforms mainly into a rhombohedral phase of the type of R2Fe17Cx in which the C atoms occupy an interstitial position. The transformation temperature is highly dependent on the R component and is fairly low for R=Pr and Nd. The effect of this solid‐state transformation on the hard magnetic properties of the R2Fe14C compounds is discussed.