Effect of Ti, V, Cr, and Mn additions on the magnetic properties of a nanocrystalline soft magnetic Fe–Zr–B alloy with high magnetic flux density

Abstract

The effect of the addition of Ti, V, Cr, and Mn on the magnetic properties of a nanocrystalline soft magnetic Fe–Zr–B alloy has been investigated. The addition of the elements increases both the crystallization temperature and the grain size of α-Fe. After crystallization, these elements are observed in both the α-Fe grains and the residual amorphous matrix. It has been found that V is a useful element to control magnetostriction by keeping the saturation magnetic flux density (Bs) high. The simultaneous addition of V and Mn increases Bs. The alloys with high Bs, above 1.75 T, show good soft magnetic properties as well; the Fe90V1Zr6B3 alloy exhibits high Bs of 1.75 T and high permeability (μe) of 31 000, and the Fe89.5V0.5Mn1Zr6B3 alloy exhibits high Bs of 1.78 T and high μe of 23 000. These high Bs values are almost the same as that of a Fe-6.5 wt % Si alloy. The alloys also exhibit low core loss. Therefore, nanocrystalline Fe–V–(Mn)–Zr–B alloys are expected to be applied to power electronic devices such as power transformers.