Processing effects on the magnetostrictive and physical properties of SmFe(sub2)/metal composites

The dependence of the magnetostriction, mechanical hardness and density on processing parameters on the SmFe(sub2) volume fill fraction and consolidation temperature is reported. Magnetostriction rises monotonically with rising SmFe(sub2) content, although density and hardness decrease. Hot pressed SmFe(sub2) powder has high porosity and does not register on the Rockwell B hardness scale, but low fill fraction composites are within 10% of theoretical density, having a hardness of 40-85 Rockwell B. A good combination of properties is between 40-60% SmFe(sub2).