Fe-based bulk amorphous soft magnetic materials

Fe-based bulk amorphous materials have no crystal anisotropy. This is why they are good candidates for the application as soft magnetic materials, although conventional soft magnetic alloys have a higher saturation magnetization than the amorphous alloys. An Fe65.5Cr4Mo4Ga4P12C5B5.5 alloy shows, together with excellent soft magnetic behaviour, a very high mechanical strength and a high resistance against corrosion which may be important for application as magnetic parts in valves, clutches, or relays. Fe77Al2.14Ga0.86P8.4C5B4Si2 bulk amorphous materials were prepared by the powder-metallurgical technology. This technological route allows to prepare samples of larger dimensions. Furthermore, active powders, e.g. high magnetostrictive Fe2Sm-powder, may be added to the powder. Thus, composites with high magnetostrictive response and high mechanical strength may be prepared profiting from the low processing temperature.