Structural and Magnetic Properties of Mn-Co-C Alloys

Abstract

Mn X Co (80− X ) C 20 alloys were studied for magnetic properties, crystal structure, and metallographic appearance. A superlattice having the stoichiometric composition Mn2Co2C was found to be markedly magnetic. The structure of this alloy is pseudo-f.c.c. with the C atom in the central 121212 position, the Mn atoms in the 000 and 12120 sites, and the Co atoms in the 01212 and 12012 sites. A magnetic structure was deduced from a consideration of the effect of atomic separation on magnetic vector alignment and an indication that electrons transfer from the central C atom to its nearest neighbors, the face atoms.