Liquid-immiscibility-induced formation of micron-scale crystalline/amorphous composite powder

Liquid immiscible alloy systems present a unique opportunity in developing the micron-scale crystalline/amorphous composite powder using the gas atomization method. On the basis of the CALPHAD approach, the compositions of Co-Si-B-Cu alloys system exhibiting the liquid immiscibility have been designed. The produced gas-atomized powders show a Cu-rich crystalline/Co-Si-B rich amorphous composite microstructure. The above-mentioned powders possess almost the same coercive force as that of Co-Si-B amorphous powders, while their saturation magnetization decreases with increasing Cu concentration. Such Cu-rich crystalline/Co-Si-B rich amorphous composite powders may have applications in the field of heat release of soft magnetic devices and ferrofluids. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.