Thermal, magnetic, and structural properties of soft magnetic FeCrNbCuSiB alloy ribbons

The thermal, magnetic and structural properties of amorphous magnetic Fe73.5-xCrxNb3Cu1Si13.5B9 alloy ribbons, with x = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10, were studied by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), magneto-impedance measurements and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The ribbons exhibit ultrasoft magnetic behavior, especially giant magneto-impedance effect, GMI. A three-peak behavior was observed in GMI curves. Particular attention has been given to observation of crystallization kinetics via DSC and TGA. The primary crystallization T-pcr, and Curie T-c, temperatures were determined from DSC and TGA data, respectively. The effect of partial substitution of iron by Cr on the thermal and magnetic properties is discussed. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.