Magnetic behaviour in Dy(1-x)Mm(x)Co2 compounds.

The magnetic behaviour in Dy(1-x)Mm(x)Co(2) (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5; Mm = mischmetal) compounds is reported using temperature and field dependence of magnetization (M-T and M-H respectively) measurements. A strong composition dependent irreversibility is observed in both the M-T and M-H scans below the magnetic ordering temperature (T(C)). A clear change of the first-order magnetic transition of DyCo(2) to a second-order one in Dy(0.5)Mm(0.5)Co(2) is evidenced by M-T and a series of Arrott (M(2) versus H/M) plots, obtained from the M-H isotherms around T(C). The variation in induced moments of the Co sublattice is estimated. It is found that the Mm substitution can only lead to a considerable reduction in the T(C), saturation magnetization, and Co moment. The observed behaviour of M-T and M-H plots with increasing Mm content is discussed in detail.