Interaction of the surface of ribbons of amorphous soft-magnetic alloys with vapor during isothermal holding upon heat treatment

The effect of in-air heat treatment in combination with water vapor on the magnetization distribution and magnetic properties has been investigated based on the example of ribbons of amorphous soft-magnetic alloys Fe77Ni1Si9B13 and Fe81B13Si4C2 with positive magnetostriction. The results of the investigation showed the temperature lag of the dependence of the maximum magnetic permeability and of relative volume of domains with orthogonal magnetization on the isothermal-holding temperature. This effect can be associated with the inhibition of processes of surface crystallization by hydrogen and oxygen atoms introduced into the ribbon surface. Distinctive features of the heat treatment with and without vapor on the magnetization distribution in the ribbon plane that are explained within the theory of directed ordering with allowance for the processes of crystallization at the cooling stage have been found. This demonstrates the importance of the contribution of diffusion processes at this stage of treatment to the formation of the level of magnetic properties. It has been shown that the interaction of the ribbon surface with water vapor is not physical adsorption. Interaction with atmospheric gases is carried out by dispersion forces and exerts an influence on the magnetization distribution in the ribbon plane and maximum magnetic permeability.