One-Step Sintering Process for the Production of Magnetocaloric La(Fe,Si)13-Based Composites

A one-step sintering process was developed to produce magnetocaloric La(Fe,Si)13/Ce-Co composites. The effects of Ce2Co7 content and time on the relevant phase transformations were determined. Following at 1373 K/30 MPa for 1–6 h, NaZn13-type (La,Ce)(Fe,Co,Si)13 formed, mass fraction ?-Fe reduced CeFe7-type (La,Ce)(Fe,Co,Si)7 appeared. increased, decreased with increasing content. However, time. EDS results showed a difference in concentration between Co Ce interphase boundary 1:13 1:7 phase, indicating that diffusion mode is reaction diffusion, while usual vacancy mechanism. Interestingly, almost 100 % single obtained by appropriate addition. After 6 h K, increased larger Therefore, Curie temperature from 212 K (binder-free sample) 331 (15 wt.% sample). maximum magnetic entropy change (??SM)max 8.8 6.0 J/kg·K under 5 T field. High values compressive strength (?bc)max up 450 high thermal conductivity (?) 7.5 W/m·K obtained. feasible route quality La(Fe,Si)13 based composites large MCE, good mechanical properties, attractive tunable TC has been demonstrated.