Magnetic properties of amorphous–nanocrystalline Fe–Cr–B–Si–Ni–Nb alloys

Abstract

AbstractMagnetic characterization of amorphous–nanocrystalline Fe–Cr–B–Si–Ni–Nb alloys was the goal of this study. In this regard, three different amorphous Fe40Cr20Si15B15M10 (Nb, Ni, Ni0.5Nb0.5) alloys were prepared using the mechanical alloying technique for up to 20 h and subsequent annealing. The prepared samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and vibrating scanning magnetometry. According to the results, amorphous phase can successfully form in Fe40Cr20Si15B15M10 (Nb, Ni, Ni0.5Nb0.5) alloys. The coercivity and saturation magnetization values of the amorphous Fe40Cr20Si15B15Ni10 sample were about 100 Oe and 65.9 emu · g–1. By replacement of Ni with Nb, the coercivity and saturation magnetization values were slightly increased (to about 142 Oe) and decreased (to about 14 emu · g–1), respectively. Regardless of the annealing condition, amorphous–nanocrystalline Fe40Cr20Si15B15Ni10 alloy showed higher saturation magnetization and lower coercivity values in comparison with the samples containing Nb.