Site occupation of ternary elements in Sm2(CoTM)17 compounds

The crystallographic positions of Fe and Mn atoms in a Sm2 (CoFe Mn)17 permanent magnet have been investigated using electron channeling/blocking techniques. Using the tilting and diffraction capabilities of an analytical transmission electron microscope, an electron beam was made to propagate along specific crystallographic directions in the magnet. By monitoring the characteristic x-ray spectrum as a function of incident electron beam orientation, it was possible to determine that 88.5% of the Mn and 85.1% of the Fe atoms occupy sites in the mixed planes in this compound.