Anomalous thermal expansion and spontaneous magnetostriction of Gd₂Fe₁₆Cr compound

The structural and the magnetic properties of Gd₂Fe₁₆Cr compound are investigated by x-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. The Gd₂Fe₁₆Cr compound has a rhombohedral Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure. There exist an anisotropic strong spontaneous magnetostriction and a negative thermal expansion in the magnetic state of Gd₂Fe₁₆Cr compound. The average thermal expansion coefficient \bar \alpha =-7.03\times 10^ - 6/K in a temperature range of 294--454 K and \bar \alpha =-1.31\times 10^ - 5/K in 454--572 K are obtained. The spontaneous magnetostrictive deformation and the Curie temperature are discussed.