Effect of annealing (300-700 degrees C, Ih) and geometry on the magnetic pr
operties of Fe73.4-xCu1Nb3.1Si13.4 + xB9.1 (x = 1.1 and 1.6) glass-coated m
icrowires has been investigated. The sensibility of coercivity to the geome
try is attributed to the internal stresses. The evolution of the coercivity
with the annealing temperature exhibits some peculiarities compared with t
he classical FINEMET ribbon, especially in the temperature range of 400-500
degrees C (first stage of crystallization), showing also a remarkable depe
ndence on the geometry. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.