Thermal, structural and soft magnetic properties of FeSiBPCCu alloys

Abstract Lower Si and C-content Fe83.3Si2B13-xPxC1Cu0.7 alloys were prepared in order to investigate the influence of P substitution on thermal, structural and soft magnetic properties. Thermodynamic investigation reveals that proper P addition not only favors the amorphous formation but also expands the crystallization window and inactivates the annealing sensitivity of alloys. Microstructure and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicate P addition facilitates homogeneous precipitation of α-Fe nanocrystals but results in the formation of loose packing structure, favors the p-d hybridization and promotes the annihilation of effective magnetic moments of Fe atoms, leading to the decrease in saturation magnetic flux density (Bs) of amorphous phase. By proper isothermally annealing, the Fe83.3Si2B9P4C1Cu0.7 nanocrystalline alloy was developed combined with high Bs of 1.78 T, low coercivity of 4.6 A/m, and high permeability of 15100.