Microstructure-controlled enhancement of magnetoimpedance in nanocrystalline FeSiNbBCu alloys

Rapidly solidified amorphous Fe_68.5Si_18.5Nb₃B₉Cu₁ ribbon has been subjected to heat treatment at a temperature of 550 °C for different time periods. All the annealed ribbons show the precipitation of nanocrystalline Fe₃Si phase from the amorphous phase. The estimated crystallite size from X-ray diffraction peak analysis was in the range of 15-25 nm. While the surface studies confirm the presence of a distribution of spherical nanostructures in amorphous matrix. Both magnetoimpedance and longitudinal permeability ratios are found to increase with annealing time, and attain a maximum value for 60 min annealed ribbon and decrease on further increase in the annealing time. The enhanced magnetic properties and magnetoimpedance on suitable heat treatment is attributed to the change of magnetic parameters such as anisotropy and magnetostriction, due to change in microstructure. Analysis of permeability and impedance data taken under similar conditions suggests a strong correlation between them.