Microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe-50%Ni alloy fabricated by powder injection molding

Fe-50%Ni soft magnetic alloys were produced by powder injection molding using carbonyl iron and carbonyl nickel as raw materials. The effects of sintering temperature and time on the microstructure and magnetic properties of the alloys were investigated. The results indicate that the magnetic properties are dependent on the microstructure. The densification and grain size of the alloys increase with increasing sintering temperature and time, facilitating the enhancement of permeability and saturation induction, as well as the decrease of coercive force. In the case of the sintering temperature of 1360 degrees C for 10 h, the relative density of 97% and grain size of 200 mu m were obtained, and the maximum permeability of 43,541, saturation induction of 1.48 T and coercive force of 6.8 A/m were achieved. Further elongation of sintering time did not bring about any increase of densification and grain size. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.