Soft magnetic materials: Nanocrystalline alloys from amorphous precursors

A novel class of nanocrystalline composite alloys has been developed from amorphous precursors. Their composition bears close resemblance to the metallic glasses developed during the 1970–80s. In contrast to metallic glasses, these materials offer superb structural stability at high temperatures, increased saturation magnetization, low coercivity, low magnetostriction, and high permeability. This article compares and contrasts the magnetic and structural properties, processing characteristics, and utility of nanocrystalline and amorphous alloys.