Structural, thermal and magnetic investigations on immiscible Ag–Co nanocrystalline alloy with addition of Mn

Abstract 50Ag–50Co (at%) and 40Ag–40Co–20Mn (at%) alloys prepared by ball milling up to 50 h and subsequent isothermal annealing at the temperature range of 350–650 °C for 1 h has been investigated systematically. Mn promotes early formation of the nanostructures and solid solutions of the alloys by ball milling. In contrast, annealing at 350 °C of Ag–Co alloy resulted the dissolution of hcp Co. Annealing above 350 °C decomposes the metastable Ag–Co alloy into the polycrystalline and segregated Ag and fcc Co. Enthalpy of mixing of both the alloy has increased with increase in milling time. Both the nanocrystalline alloys prepared by ball milling and annealing have been revealed the ferromagnetic behavior. The most significant improvement of magnetic properties is yielded in as-milled Ag–Co–Mn alloy obtained after annealing at 550 °C for 1 h.