Evidence for a transition from strong to weak ferromagnetism in Ni-Fe alloys from an investigation on ternary (Ni-Fe)C alloys

Abstract

The effect of a carbon impurity on the low-temperature magnetic, electric and thermal properties of FCC Ni1-eFec alloys (0<or=C<or=0.65) has been investigated with special emphasis on the higher iron concentration range. The results are as a whole in good agreement with a transition from strong to weak ferromagnetism at the vicinity of the equiatomic composition, and with a strong perturbation of the 'd' states of the matrix by the valence electrons of carbon.