The complementary effects of Fe and metalloids on the saturation magnetization of Fe-based amorphous alloys

Developing Fe-based amorphous alloys with high saturation flux density (B-s) have been challenging topics for a long time. Metalloid elements like B, Si, C, and P are key elements for Fe-based amorphous alloys, but the addition of multiple metalloids would significantly complicate the effects of each metalloid on saturation flux density. Herein, Fe83-85(B, C, Si)(14-1)6P(1) amorphous alloys with high B-s of 1.61-1.71 T and low coercivity (H-c) of 2.2-8.7 A/m were successfully developed. Fe and metalloids were found to have strong interrelated effects on the total magnetic moment and the strength of magnetic exchange interaction, which largely determine the B-s of Fe based amorphous alloys. It was revealed that for Fe-rich amorphous alloys, the effects of metalloids on B-s are much more significant than that of Fe, and the effects are largely dependent on Fe content. The complementary effects of metalloids on B-s and the Fe-sensitive behavior of these effects, as well as the underlying mechanisms, have been revealed. These results pave a new way to understand the composition-property relationship, and would help design and develop high-performance Fe-based soft magnetic amorphous alloys.

Automated summary

Developing Fe-based amorphous alloys with high saturation flux density has been a challenging topic, with metalloid elements playing a key role. Fe83-85(B, C, Si)(14-16)P(1) amorphous alloys with high B-s and low H-c were successfully developed, with Fe content and metalloids having strong interrelated effects on the magnetic properties. The effects of metalloids on B-s are shown to be more significant than that of Fe in Fe-rich amorphous alloys, with the effects depending largely on Fe content.