Effects of minor Cu addition on glass-forming ability and magnetic properties of FePCBCu alloys with high saturation magnetization

Abstract

The effects of minor addition of Cu on glass-forming ability (GFA), thermal stability and magnetic properties of (Fe_0.8P_0.09C_0.09B_0.02)_{100− x} Cu _x (x = 0–1) alloys were investigated. The introduction of Cu slightly increases the GFA and efficiently improves the primary crystallization of α-Fe nanoparticles. The alloy with 0.3% Cu addition shows the best GFA and the fully glassy rods can be produced up to 2 mm in diameter. The saturation magnetization of the glassy sample with 0.7% Cu addition can be enhanced from 1.44 to 1.60 T after proper heat treatment due to the precipitation of α-Fe nanoparticles in the glassy matrix. The combination of large GFA and high saturation magnetization as well as low cost makes the FePCBCu alloys as a kind of promising soft magnetic materials for industrial applications.

Keywords:

• metallic glasses
• magnetic materials
• nanocrystallization

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant nos. 51,071,008 and 51,131,002), Beijing Natural Science Foundation (Grant no. 2,122,036) and Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET).