Novel soft magnetic composites fabricated by electrodeposition

Soft magnetic composites have been fabricated by electrodepositing FeNi and FeCo onto W fibers with a diameter of 20 and 100 mu m. Structural and comp ositional characterizations indicate that FeNi and FeCo-based composites ar e of fcc and bcc structure, respectively. The mechanical strengths are sign ificantly improved depending on the volume fraction of W fibers. To further improve the mechanical properties of these composites, we have codeposited soft magnets and Al2O3 powders, resulting in an increase in Vickers hardne ss of more than 100%. Magnetic measurements show that as-deposited fibers a re not magnetically soft. After proper thermal annealing, the samples exhib it excellent soft magnetic properties. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physi cs. [S0021-8979(00)75608-8].