Influence of milling time on the structural, microstructural and magnetic properties of mechanically alloyed Ni58Fe12Zr10Hf10B10 nanostructured/amorphous powders

This paper investigates structural, microstructural and magnetic properties of amorphous/nanocrystalline Ni58Fe12Zr10Hf10B10 powders prepared by high energy milling. Ball milling of Ni, Fe, Zr, Hf and B leads to alloying of the element powders at 120 h. The results show that at 190 h the amorphous content is at the highest level and the grain size is about 2 nm. The magnetic measurements reveal that the coercivity and the saturation magnetization reach about 20 Oe and 30 emu/g at 190 h and become approximately 5 Oe and 40 emu/g after a suitable heat treatment, respectively.

► We investigated the influence of milling time on the structural and magnetic properties of mechanically alloyed Ni58Fe12Zr10Hf10B10 nanostructured/amorphous powders. ► Results showed that at 190 h the amorphous content is at the highest level and the grain size is about 2 nm. ► By obtaining the amorphous structure and applying a suitable heat treatment the magnetic properties were improved.