Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Au-doped Finemet-type Alloy

In this report, we demonstrate a comprehensive analysis of the effects of Au addition on the microstructure and magnetic properties of $Fe_{73.5}Si_{13.5}B_{9}Nb_{3}Au_1$ Finemet-type alloy. It was found that the as-quenched alloys were the amorphous state and turned into nanocrystalline state under heat treatments. The DSC analysis indicates that the sharply exothermal peak corresponding to the crystallization of the $\alpha-Fe(Si)$ was observed at $547-579^{\circ}C$ depending on the heating rates, which is little higher than that of original Finemet (542-$570{^{\circ}C}$, respectively). Besides, the thermomagnetic result confirmed that the full substitution of Cu by Au with the single phase structure in the M(T) curve along cooling cycle. Ultrasoft magnetic properties of the nanocrystallized samples were significantly enhanced by the proper annealing such as the increase of permeability and the decrease of the coercivity. The optimum annealing condition was found at the annealing temperature of $540^{\circ}C$ and the increase of the annealing time up to 90 min.