Study of structural and magnetic properties of Fe73.5Si3.8C14Mn0.7B4Al4 alloy

Abstract

Present work, reports the influence of thermal annealing on magnetic and structural properties of Ci92B4Al4 (Fe73.5Si3.8C14Mn0.7= Ci – Cast iron) alloy using, magnetic measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) to obtain information on structure, formed nano-crystalline phases and their influence on soft magnetic properties. Structural changes were achieved by annealing of the samples performed at 350, 370, 400, 425 and 450 °C for one hour. Studied specimen shows two-step crystallization, and the activation energy of crystallization, obtained using Kissinger's method, was 3.79 ± 0.6 eV (for main peak) and 3.02 ± 0.3 eV (for pre peak). Coercive field Hc of the studied samples varies between 22.06 – 838.67 A/m. Best coercivity (Hc) value of 22.06 A/m was obtained for the as cast sample. The measured saturation induction (B2000) values range between 0.89 and 1.31 Tesla. Best saturation induction (B2000) value of 1.31 Tesla was obtained for the as cast sample. XRD data shows that apart from α-Fe, phase (lattice parameter ~ 0.2859 nm) an additional Fe-Al phase is also formed, with Al ranging between 53 – 64 %, responsible for the reduction of magnetic induction as well as the increase of coercivity.