Nanocrystallization of soft magnetic Fe(Co)–Zr–B–Cu alloys

Fe88Zr7B4Cu1 and Fe44Co44Zr7B4Cu1 alloys have been melt spun to produce amorphous ribbons. Crystallization behaviour of the amorphous phase has been investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Addition of Co in Fe–Zr–B–Cu alloy reduces the stability of the amorphous phase leading to the formation of nanocrystallites at a lower temperature. A dispersion of the nanocrystalline phase in the amorphous matrix is achieved by controlled heat treatment for optimization of magnetic properties. Coercivity, saturation magnetization and Curie temperature are found to increase on addition of Co.