A novel Ho36Dy20Al24Co20 bulk metallic glass with large magnetocaloric effect

A new heavy rare-earth-based Ho36Dy20Al24Co20 bulk metallic glass (BMG) has been prepared by a copper mold casting. A maximum magnetic entropy change of 11.77 J/kg K has been measured in Ho36Dy20Al24Co20 bulk metallic glass under a magnetic field of 5 Tesla, which is larger than that of the early reported Ho-based bulk metallic glass Ho30Y 26Al24Co20. The half-maximum temperature range of the entropy change peak is as large as 40 K, leading to a superior refrigerant capacity to those of the Gd5Si2Ge2 and Gd5Si2Ge1.9Fe0.1 crystalline compounds. The excellent magnetocaloric effect together with the unique properties of metallic glass makes this alloy a promising candidate for a magnetic refrigerant in the temperature range below 50 K.