Influence of atomic order on magnetic properties of Fe-Si alloys

The present work attempts to assess the influence of the order phenomenon on the soft magnetic properties of Fe-Si alloys in a wide concentration range. Alloys with Si content up to 7.6 wt% were prepared. Heat treatments including annealing at different temperatures ranging from 500 up to 1100 ° C and water quench were carried out in order to 57 develop different states of order. Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy was used to evaluate and quantify the degree of order. Concerning magnetic properties, total losses and permeability were measured. Results show that magnetic properties are mainly influenced by two factors: stresses induced during quenching and atomic order phenomena. The former deteriorates them as the quenching temperature is increased while the latter becomes more appreciable as the Si content is higher. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.