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 Th2Zn$_{17}$-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.