Effect of annealing on magnetoimpedance of Co68Fe4Zr10Cu2B16 ribbons

Magnetoimpedance (MI) in Co₆₈Fe₄Zr₁₀Cu₂B₁₆ alloy has been investigated in the frequency range 500 kHz–5 MHz and with the application of external steady magnetic field in the longitudinal direction, up to 100 Oe. MI measurements were carried out on as-cast ribbons and also on conventionally annealed and Joule-annealed ribbons. In as cast ribbons, the maximum MI observed is 13% at a frequency of 500 kHz and it decreases to 5% and 4% with conventional annealing at 100 °C and 150 °C, respectively. On the other hand, MI decreases to 8% and 6% with Joule annealing employing currents of 100 mA and 200 mA, respectively. However, Joule annealing with the application of a magnetic field of 5–10 Oe in the transverse direction causes the MI to decrease to 12% and 11% for currents of 100 mA and 200 mA, respectively. In the as-cast ribbons, double peak behavior is observed in all the frequencies whereas, in the annealed ribbons, double peak behavior in general is observed only at high frequencies.