Structure, thermal and magnetic properties of Fe43Co14Ni14B20Si5Nb4 bulk metallic glass

Purpose: The paper presents structure characteristics, thermal stability and soft magnetic properties analysis of Fe-based bulk metallic glass in as-cast state and after crystallization process. Design/methodology/approach: The studies were performed on Fe43Co14Ni14B20Si5Nb4 metallic glass in a form of plates and rods. The amorphous structure of tested samples was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. The thermal stability of the glassy samples was measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The soft magnetic properties examination of tested material contained initial magnetic permeability and magnetic permeability relaxation measurements. Findings: The XRD and TEM investigations revealed that the studied as-cast plates and rods were amorphous. Broad diffraction halo could be observed for all tested samples, indicating the formation of a glassy phase with the diameters up to 3 mm for rods. The fracture surface of rod samples appears to consist of two different zones which might correspond with different amorphous structures of studied materials. The thermal stability parameters of rod with diameter of 3 mm, such as glass transition temperature, onset crystallization temperature and supercooled liquid area were measured by DSC to be 797 K, 854 K, 57 K, respectively. The heat treatment process of rod samples involved in crystallization of á-Fe phase and formation of iron borides at temperature above 873 K. Practical implications: The appropriate increase of annealing temperature significantly improved soft magnetic properties of examined alloy by increasing the initial magnetic permeability and decreasing the magnetic permeability relaxation. Originality/value: The success of fabrication of studied Fe-based bulk metallic glass in a form of plates and rods is important for the future progress in research and practical application of those glassy materials.