Effect of remelting on microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe-Co-based alloys produced by laser additive manufacturing

Laser additive manufacturing is an ideal choice to fabricate metal parts with complicated geometric shapes. In this research, (Fe60Co35Ni5)(73.5)Si13.5B9CuMo3 magnetic alloys with good saturation magnetization and mechanical properties were prepared by laser additive manufacturing and laser remelting. The influence of laser remelting on the hysteresis loop, microhardness, microstructure, and wear resistance of a single layer was investigated. It is found that laser remelting has a beneficial effect on the magnetic and mechanical properties. The microstructure of the remelted alloys is mainly composed of dense and homogeneous dendrites. The alloys are dominated by body-centered cubic microstructures. After laser remelting, the alloys exhibit higher saturation magnetization (165.5 emu/g) and lower coercivity (12 Oe). In addition, with the reduction of grain size, the wear resistance and microhardness of the alloys increase significantly.