Magnetic characterization of dual phase FeZrB soft magnetic alloy

The magnetic properties and the annealing process of Fe78Zr7B15 amorphous ribbons are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The fully amorphous structure of the as-quenched ribbons is confirmed by the XRD pattern. The Curie temperature and the saturation magnetization Ms of the ribbons are 305 °C and 124.3 emu/g, respectively. Annealing at 550 °C can result in an increase in Ms with annealing time due to the increasing crystallized volume fraction of α-Fe phase. The optimized annealing process is established at 550 °C for 20–30 min with maximum Ms of 146.6 emu/g. The morphology of the ribbons annealed at 550 °C is observed by scanning electron microscopy, showing that nanocrystalline α-Fe grains are dispersed in an amorphous matrix.

► The amorphous structure has high Tc and Ms, which are 305 °C and 124.3 emu/g, respectively.
► An α-Fe/amorphous dual part structure can obtain in FeZrB soft magnetic alloy choosing proper crystallization treatment.
► With the increase of crystallized volume fraction of α-Fe phase, Ms increases with annealing time at the temperature 550 °C.
► The optimized annealing process is chosen at 550 °C for 20–30 min.