Surface crystallization and magnetic properties of Fe84.3Cu0.7Si4B8P3 soft magnetic ribbons

Abstract The magnetic microstructure and hysteresis properties of Fe 84.3 Cu 0.7 Si 4 B 8 P 3 soft magnetic ribbons have been investigated by Kerr-microscopy, Kerr-magnetometry and inductive hysteresis measurements. Crystalline surface layers were already present after quenching, causing an out-of-plane anisotropy in the amorphous bulk. Annealing at elevated temperature leads to nanocrystallization in the inner part of the ribbon and to a gradual decline of the perpendicular anisotropy with increasing temperature. The surface magnetization process is determined by the coercive motion of 180° domain walls along the ribbon axis, while the bulk magnetization process is dominated by reversible rotation of magnetization.