The effect of silicon addition on the mechanical alloying of FeB powder

FeB powders were prepared by mechanical alloying, and the effect of silicon addition during mechanical alloying on the crystal structure, the phase ev olution, and the magnetic properties was investigated by using X-ray diffra ction, differential scanning calorimetry, Mossbauer spectroscopy, and vibra ting sample magnetometry. The starting elements, Fe and Si, were incorporat ed into the alpha-Fe structure during mechanical alloying. After annealing the alloyed powder at 800 degrees C in vacuum, two phases, FeB and Fe2B, we re found to coexist. Silicon enhanced the amorphization of the FeB powders and reduced the synthesis time required by mechanical alloying. It was reve aled that the formation of the Fe2B phase could be restricted by substituti ng a small amount of Si for B.