The effect of process control agent on the structure and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline mechanically alloyed Fe-45% Ni powders

In this study, nanocrystalline Fe-45 wt% Ni alloy powders were prepared by mechanical alloying via high-energy ball milling. The effect of adding stearic acid as a process control agent (PCA) on the particle size, structure and magnetic properties of Fe-45 wt% Ni alloy powders have been studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and vibrating sample magnetometer measurements. The results show that the addition of 1 wt% PCA causes fine uniform spherical powder particles of the fcc γ-(Fe, Ni) phase to be formed after 48 h milling time. It is also found that crystallite size, lattice strain and content of γ-(Fe, Ni) phase are three of the most important variables that are significantly affected by PCA content and can influence the magnetic properties.