Upon influencing the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of RE/sub 2/TM/sub 17/ compounds

A simplified form of the theoretical single-ion, crystal field contribution to the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of RE/sub 2/TM/sub 17/ compounds is given. Through an evaluation of this contribution in Sm/sub 2/(Co/sub 1 - x/Fe/sub x/)/sub 17/ compounds, two methods of favorably altering their anisotropy were suggested. The first involves substitution of Sm by Tb in order to compensate the adverse influence of Fe beyond x approximately equal to 0.2. The expected effect is observed. Substitution of Co by Mn or Cr was used in an attempt to avoid the consequences of structural features of the Fe-containing alloys upon the anisotropy. These new compounds yield up to 40 percent improvement in the anisotropy, and at higher magnetizations, compared to Sm/sub 2/Co/sub 17/.