Effect of high magnetic field on the phase transition in Fe-24%Ga and Fe-27%Ga during isothermal annealing

Abstract The effect of a high magnetic field (25 T) on the D03 to L12 phase transformation in two Fe-Ga alloys with 24 and 27 at.% Ga during isothermal annealing at 475°C is investigated using neutron diffraction and magnetization measurements techniques. It is proved that annealing in the magnetic field increases the amount of fcc - derived L12 phase in both samples. This effect is stronger in the Fe-27%Ga alloy as compared with the Fe-24%Ga alloy. The reasons for enhancing the D03 to L12 phase transition in the magnetic field are discussed. We suggest that the most significant increase in the transformation rate is related to a decrease in the energy barrier between the phases involved in the transformation process.