Formation of nanocrystalline Fe–N–B–Cu soft magnetic ribbons

The potential of iron nitride alloys as nanocrystalline materials for soft magnetic ribbons was explored. Nanocrystalline Fe83.4N8.4B7.3Cu0.9 soft magnetic ribbons with a principal constituent of α′′-Fe16N2 are formed after the nitriding and tempering of amorphous Fe91B8Cu1 ribbons. The formation mechanism of α′′-Fe16N2 is the transformation of austensite by its quenching to α′-Fe (N) martensite and subsequent tempering to α′′-Fe16N2. The good soft magnetic properties show that Fe nitride alloys are good candidate materials for nanocrystalline soft magnetic ribbons.