Abstract
Magnetization-temperature data have been obtained for TiFe
2, ZrFe
2, YFe
2, YMn
2 and a series of alloys represented by the formula YMn
2−
x
Al
x
. Curie-Weiss behavior is observed for all the systems studied except for YMn
2 and the ternary alloys with
x < 0.95. Effective moments are tabulated for the samples whose susceptibilities follow the Curie-Weiss law. These have been analyzed treating the
d electrons as localised. Between 7 and 8
d electrons are found for Fe in all three compounds. Mn in ternaries with
x>1.5 is in a 3
d
3 configuration, corresponding to Mn
+4. The difference in phase relations observed in ternaries involving the lanthanides and aluminum combined with Mn on the one hand and Fe or Co on the other is attributed to the shift of Mn
d electrons from a localised to a delocalised condition and the involvement of the
d electrons in the latter case in the establishment of the Fermi Surface. In this group of compounds Fe and Mn (in dilute solution) contribute 0.2 and 4 electrons, respectively, to the electron concentration. This is in close accord with valence of zero for Fe advanced many years ago by
Hume-Rothery.