Low core loss of non-Si quaternary Fe83.3B8P8Cu0.7 nanocrystalline alloy with high Bs of 1.7 T

The effect of replacement Si by P on the soft magnetic and structural properties of nanocrystalline Fe-Si-B-P-Cu alloys has been investigated. The nanocrystalline Fe83.3SiXB8P8−XCu0.7 (X = 0, 2, 4, 6) alloy ribbons consist of precipitated α-Fe phase and residual amorphous phase, and initial permeability of these alloy ribbons are enhanced with decreasing Si content. In particular, the nanocrystalline Fe83.3B8P8Cu0.7 (X = 0) alloy has both low core loss of 1.4 W/kg at 1.0 T – 50 Hz and high saturation magnetic flux density of 1.70 T. In addition, this alloy exhibits the most favorable nanocrystalline structure containing the homogeneously precipitated α-Fe grains with 14 nm in mean diameter. Therefore, it can be concluded that the soft magnetic properties and nanostructure of Fe-Si-B-P-Cu alloys are strongly affected by Si and P content. The Fe83.3B8P8Cu0.7 alloy with low core loss and high saturation magnetic flux density compared with a Fe amorphous alloy is suitable for a magnetic core material in electronic devices such as transformers, inductors and motors.