Microstructure and magnetic properties of FeMoBCu alloys:: Influence of B content

Fe91-xMo8Cu1Bx (x= 12, 15, 17, 20) amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys were studied to examine the influence of B content on their microstructure and magnetic behaviour. Changes in the magnetic properties provoked by microstructural evolution upon thermal treatments of as-cast samples were also analyzed. Nanocrystallization kinetics can be described by an isokinetic approach except for the 20 at.% B content alloy. The Curie temperature of the amorphous as-cast samples increases with the alloy's B content. Mossbauer results suggest the presence of Mo atoms in the nanocrystals. Crystalline volume fraction and mean grain size of the nanocrystals at the end of the nanocrystallization process are higher for the lowest B content alloy. The 20 at.% B content alloy develops a boride phase just after the early stages of the nanocrystallization process, which provokes a magnetic hardening in this alloy. The softest magnetic behaviour of the studied compositions corresponds to nanocrystallized 17 at.% B content alloy. (C) 2007 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.