Properties changes of Co-based amorphous alloy in thermal activation process

Purpose: The paper presents a stress relaxation process of Co69Mo2Fe4Si14B11 metallic glass and properties changes in a temperature range up to 300 oC after annealing from 1 to 16 hours (in case of plasticity and stress relaxation researches) and 2 hours (for the magnetic properties investigations). Design/methodology/approach: The plastic properties of the studied material were determined using the bend test, applied for metallic glasses. The investigations of magnetic properties were carried out using the Ferrometer measurement system. For the higher frequencies the Remacomp C-100 system was used, allowing determination of the magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic cores. Stress relaxation investigations in metallic glasses by a bending test were carried out. Findings: The influence of thermal activation on the properties changes of Co-based metallic glass was determined after annealing from temperature of 150 to 300°C. After the heat treatment carried out the best magnetic properties were obtained for the sample annealed for 2 hours at 150°C. The increase of the magnetic field frequencies causes a significant deterioration of the material magnetic properties. High plasticity the metallic glass ribbons have to 200°C during annealing to 16 hours. Increasing the annealing temperature causes brittleness of the material. Distinct relaxation processes are observed at higher temperatures and annealing times. Research limitations/implications: Metallic glasses after heat treatment become brittle, which reduces the possibility of using these materials, and often impossible to change their geometric form. Therefore, the heat treatment of metallic glasses must be carried out after the final forming of the geometry of shaped, cores, etc., or in conditions not leading to embrittlement of the material. Practical implications: Usage of metallic glasses is possible only in a narrow range of temperatures which does not lead to significant changes of properties or after proper heat treatment carried out in the aim of specified physical properties obtaining. The important is prediction of alloy properties changes during temperature changes and material using. Originality/value: In the article influence of low-temperature thermal activation processes, which was conducted up to 16 hours, on the stress relaxation and significant changes of magnetic properties of cobalt-based metallic glass were presented.