Magnetic, electrical and plastic properties of Fe76Nb2Si13B9, Fe75Ag1Nb2Si13B9 and Fe75Cu1Nb2Si13B9 amorphous alloys

Influence of 1 h annealing in vacuum on magnetic, electrical and plastic properties of Fe76Nb2Si13B9, Fe75Ag1Nb2Si13B9 and Fe75Cu1Nb2Si13B9 melt spun ribbons were carefully investigated. It was shown that in all cases soft magnetic properties can be significantly enhanced by applying 1-h annealing at characteristic temperatures Top. This optimization annealing causes that permeability increases more than 15-times and magnetic losses (tangent of loss angle) achieves a minimum in relation to the as quenched state. Using structural examinations (X-ray and HRTEM) it was shown that for the Fe75Cu1Nb2Si13B9 alloy the optimized microstructure corresponds to a nanocrystalline αFe(Si) phase whereas in other alloys to a relaxed amorphous phase free of iron nanograins. As a consequence of this fact the Fe76Nb2Si13B9 and Fe75Ag1Nb2Si13B9 alloys show higher plasticity in comparison to the nanocrystalline Fe75Cu1Nb2Si13B9 alloy. Temperatures of the first stage of crystallization, and related diffusion parameters were determined using measurements of resistivity versus temperature with different heating rates.

► We have examined influence of Ag and Cu on properties in Fe–Nb–Si–B alloys.
► Magnetic, electric and plastic properties versus annealing temperatures were examined.
► Fe76Nb2Si13B9 and Fe75Ag1Nb2Si13B9 show higher plasticity than Fe75Cu1Nb2Si13B9.
► Temperatures of the crystallization, and related diffusion parameters were determined.