A. Benchabi et al., Magnetic properties and domain structures in stress-annealed FeZrB-(Cu)-(Nb) nanocrystalline ribbons, EPJ-APPL PH, 15(3), 2001, pp. 173-176
Magnetic properties of nanocrystalline FeZrB-(Cu)-(Nb) compared to FeSiBCuN
b are reported. Observations of domain patterns by magneto-optical Kerr eff
ect (MOKE) method presented herein highlight qualitatively the incidence of
stress-annealing on the induced anisotropy in soft magnetic materials. Tra
nsverse fine domains found in FeSiBCuNb alloys are consistent to a magneto-
elastic interpretation of the stress-induced anisotropy. Nevertheless, it i
s not the case for FeZrB-(Cu)-(Nb) family where we observe a pronounced lon
gitudinal induced anisotropy. According to the so-called "back stress effec
t" advanced by Herzer, the negative lambda (s) of bcc alpha -Fe grains, as
well of bcc alpha -FeSi grains, should yield transverse anisotropy. Nowaday
s, this surprising feature is not still clear. For a technical standpoint,
stress-induced anisotropy is interesting for new magnetic components in pow
er electronics.