Thermal and magnetic propertiesof selected Fe-based metallic glasses

Purpose: The work presents a thermal stability characterization and soft magnetic properties analysis of selected Fe-based metallic glasses. Design/methodology/approach:The studies were performed on ribbons prepared by the planar flow casting technique, which is a method of continuous casting of the liquid alloy on a surface of turning copper based wheel. The methods of X-ray diffraction were used for the qualitative phase analysis. The thermal properties associated with crystallization temperature of the glassy alloys were measured using the differential thermal analysis. The magnetic properties were determined by the Maxwell-Wien bridge, fluxometer and VSM methods. Findings: The studied Fe72B20Si4B4 and Fe36Co36B19Si5Nb4 metallic glasses in as-cast state were fully amorphous.The Curie temperature (Tc) for Fe72B20Si4B4 alloy has a value of 582 K and Fe36Co36B19Si5Nb4 has higher Tc, which has a value of 605 K. The obtained magnetic properties allow to classify the studied amorphous alloys in as-cast state as soft magnetic materials. The coercive field of tested alloys has a value about 8 A/m. The maximum magnetic permeability of Fe72B20Si4B4 alloy (!max = 21500) is much higher than Fe36Co36B19Si5Nb4 metallic glasses (!max = 3200). Similarly, saturation magnetization of Fe72B20Si4B4 alloy (Bs = 1.04 T) is higher than Fe36Co36B19Si5Nb4 (Bs = 0.99 T) amorphous alloy. Practical implications: The studied glassy alloys are suitable materials for many electrical application in different elements of magnetic circuits and for manufacturing of sensors and precise current transformers. Originality/value: The obtained results confirm the utility of applied investigation methods in the thermal and magnetic properties analysis of examined amorphous alloys.