Heat treatment effects on structural and magnetic properties of fine FeB particles

Abstract The structural and magnetic properties of fine Fe B particles with a size of about 50 nm and B concentrations of 5, 14, and 17 at.% were studied in as-prepared samples and after annealing in vacuum and in H 2 atmosphere. The samples annealed in vacuum were found to be dominated by α-Fe in the high B concentrations. Oxide components appear in the particles with low B content. Boron is found to prevent oxidation of the as-made samples and promote the formation of mixed valence oxides in the crystallized samples.