Excellent soft magnetic properties and enhanced glass forming ability of Fe-Si-B-C-Cu nanocrystalline alloys

In the present investigation, the glass forming ability (GFA), thermal stability, and soft magnetic properties of Fe85Si6-xB8Cu1Cx alloys are investigated by the substitution of C for Si. It was found that the GFA of Ccontaining alloys is remarkably enhanced when a certain amount of Si is replaced by C in a C-free alloy. The temperature interval between the first and second crystallization temperatures is also improved by C addition and reaches a maximum value of 169 degrees C for the as-spun Fe85Si2B8Cu1C4 amorphous alloy. The Fe85Si4B8Cu1C2 nanocrystalline alloy exhibits the best soft magnetic properties with the highest saturation magnetic flux density (Bs) of 1.95 T and the lowest coercivity (Hc) of 4.1 A/m, which corresponds to the highest grain number density (Nd). The high GFA, large annealing window, low cost, and excellent soft magnetic properties enable the Fe85Si2B8Cu1C4 nanocrystalline alloy as a material with wide applicability. Moreover, this work is highly beneficial in balancing the relationship between a high Bs and sufficient GFA in the production of Fe-rich nanocrystalline alloys.

Automated summary

The glass forming ability, thermal stability, and soft magnetic properties of Fe85Si6-xB8Cu1Cx alloys were investigated by substituting C for Si. It was found that the addition of C remarkably enhanced the glass forming ability and improved the temperature interval between crystallization temperatures. Fe85Si4B8Cu1C2 alloy exhibited the best soft magnetic properties with high saturation magnetic flux density and low coercivity, making it suitable for various applications.