Crystallization of Fe72B20Si4Nb4 metallic glasses ribbons

Purpose: The paper presents a crystallization process of Fe-based amorphous materials. The aim of work is presentation of the influence of annealing temperature on structural changes and magnetic properties of Fe72B20Si4Nb4 metallic glasses. Design/methodology/approach: The studies were performed on metallic glasses as ribbons. Crystallization behaviour of the studied alloy was examined by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Mossbauer spectroscopy methods. The soft magnetic properties examination of tested material contained magnetic permeability, coercive field, saturation induction and magnetic after-effects measurements. Findings: The XRD, TEM and Mossbauer spectroscopy investigations revealed that the studied alloy in as-cast state was amorphous. A two stage crystallization process was observed for studied material. The first stage of crystallization corresponding to the partial crystallization of α-Fe phase was followed by the formation of iron borides. It has shown that appropriate increasing of annealing temperature, significantly improved soft magnetic properties of examined alloy. The maximum of initial magnetic permeability is correlated with a minimum of coercive field. Practical implications: The soft magnetic properties of metallic glasses can be optimized by applying the appropriate conditions of heat treatment. Originality/value: The applied investigation methods are suitable to determine the changes of structure and the improvement of soft magnetic properties of examined Fe-based alloy in comparison with as-cast state.