Effects of rare-earth ions on the quality of a Li-Zn ferrite

Effects of the rare-earth lolls on some properties of a lithium-zinc ferrite used in high frequency are described. A set of seven compounds with formula Li(0.3)Zn(0.4)Fe(1.06)R(0.04)O(4) where R = Yb, Er, Dy, Tb, Gd, Sm and Ce, were prepared by the classical method. The obtained results reveal that, by introducing a relatively small amount of R(2)O(3) instead of Fe2O3, an important modification of both the structure and the properties can be obtained. Curie point, magnetization, electrical resistivity, density, hardness are affected by these substitutions. The effects of rare-earth ions were explained both by their partial diffusion in the spinel lattice and by the formation of the crystalline secondary phases on the grain boundaries. Densification of the ceramic is attributable predominantly to the relative shrinkage during sintering.