Circumferential magnetization curves were obtained for low, negative magnet
ostriction amorphous wires of nominal composition (Co0.94Fe0.06)(72.5)B15Si
12.5, under tensile stress up to 250 MPa, by using the magnetoimpedance eff
ect. The various magnetization processes, i.e., spin rotation, domain wall
bulging, and domain wall displacement were resolved by frequency measuremen
ts in the 5 Hz-13 MHz range, and by varying the applied field amplitude bet
ween 0.28 and 12 A/ m (root mean square). The results show that reversible
magnetization processes (domain wall bulging and spin rotation) are damped
by tensile stress, while the irreversible process (domain wall displacement
) is enhanced by stress. These results are interpreted in terms of an incre
ase in anisotropy and a reorienting of magnetization in circumferential dom
ains, both as a result of the stress-induced anisotropy. (C) 1999 American
Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(99)04501-6].