Effect of Al addition on the glass forming ability, thermal stability and soft magnetic properties of (Fe0.83P0.16Cu0.01)100−xAlx nanocrystalline alloys

• Ribbons were produced by the single roller melt spinning method.
• With no expensive elements such as B, Nb, Zr, Mo et al.
• GFA and thermal stability improved with the increase of Al content.
• Optimum crystallization annealing temperature interval were improved.
• Excellent soft magnetic properties obtained with proper Al addition.

Soft magnetic alloy (Fe0.83P0.16Cu0.01)100−xAlx (x = 0–2) ribbons were produced by the single roller melt spinning method. The glass forming ability, thermal stability and optimum crystallization annealing temperature interval can be continuously improved with the increase of Al content. For all alloys as the annealing temperature increases HC first decreases slowly to a minimum and then increases sharply and as Al content increases the minimum of HC decreases and the temperature at which the minimum of HC appears increases. At individual optimal annealing temperature both the coercivity and the saturation magnetization of the alloys decreases continuously. (Fe0.83P0.16Cu0.01)98.5Al1.5 nanocrystalline alloy annealed at 603 K for 150 s exhibits excellent soft magnetic properties, such as high saturation magnetic flux density (1.54 T), low coercivity (5.4 A/m). Low cost of raw materials and good soft magnetic properties make this alloy a promising candidate for future application.