Synthesis and magnetization studies of nanopowder Fe70Ni20Cr10 alloys prepared by high energy milling

• Nanocrystalline Fe70Ni20Cr10 alloy were prepared by the mechanical alloying process.
• The complete formation of Fe70Ni20Cr10 is observed after 24 h milling.
• With increasing milling time, the grain size decreases, while the strain increases.
• The SEM images allowed following the morphology of the materials at different stages.
• Ms and HC derived from the hysteresis are discussed as a function of milling time.

Nanocrystalline Fe1−x−yNixCry (x=20, y=10% in Wt)) alloy samples were prepared by mechanical alloying process. Fe, Ni and Cr elemental powders have been ball milled in a planetary mill for various periods of time, up to 27 h. XRD analysis allowed the determination of the structure of the mixture, the average crystallite size and the lattice parameter as a function of milling time. The complete formation of FeNiCr is observed after 27 h milling. With increasing milling time from 0 to 27 h, it is observed that the lattice parameter increases from 0.3515 to 0.3593 nm as well as an increase of microstrain from 0.15 to 0.40%, whereas the grain size decreases from 48 to 13 nm. Grain morphology of the powders at different formation stages was examined using SEM. Saturation magnetization and coercive fields derived from the hysteresis curves are discussed as a function of milling time.

Fe70Ni20Cr10 nanopowders were prepared using a planetary ball mill. The structure and microstructure vary with milling time; thereby important modifications of the magnetic properties were observed and discussed.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide