Effect of Al Addition on the Glass-Forming Ability and Magnetic Properties of a Gd–Co Binary Amorphous Alloy

The glass-forming ability (GFA) and magnetic properties of the Gd_50Co_50-based amorphous alloy with Al addition substitution for Co are investigated. It is found that the GFA and magneto-caloric effect of the Gd_50Co_45Al_5 amorphous alloy are better than Gd_50Co_50 amorphous alloy. The maximum magnetic entropy change (-\Delta S_\rm m^\rm peak) and the magnetic refrigerant capacity of the amorphous alloy under a field of 5 T are about 6.64 J\cdotkg^-1K^-1 and 764 J\cdotkg^-1, respectively. The field dependence of magnetic entropy change meets the one predicted by the mean field theory, which is investigated for a better understanding of the magneto-caloric behaviors of the Gd_50Co_45Al_5 amorphous alloy.