Synthesis and Magnetic Moment of .ALPHA.' and .GAMMA.'-Fe-N Phases with Various N Contents

Abstract

α′ and γ′-Fe-N with various N contents were synthesized by using multilayer fabrication technique and the volume effect on magnetic moment for these phases was examined. The unit-cell volume of α′ and γ′ phases monotonously increases with increasing N content. In the case of α′-Fe-N, magnetic moment decreases with increasing unit-cell volume. This result is different from theoretical prediction. On the other hand, in the case of γ′-Fe-N, magnetic moment takes the maximum near the volume of bulk γ′-Fe4N. In particular, the magnetic moment drops drastically near the volume of bulk γ′-Fe4N, although unit-cell volume is almost same. This result is also different from the theory. Further experimental works including magnetic microstructural analysis are needed to answer these discrepancies.