Solid state synthesis of Fe-B-Si alloys

Fe-B and Fe-B-Si elemental and intermetallic powders were synthesized by mechanical alloying method. Vibratory and planetary type of ball mills were used in the tests. The alloying time and the alloying type in the results were investigated. The microstructure and the thermodynamic properties of the mechanically alloyed powders were characterized by means of a X-ray diffractometer, a differential scanning calorimeter and a scanning electron microscope. The obtained results confirm that it is possible to synthesize nanocrystalline and amorphous alloys from elemental and intermetallic Fe-, B- and Si-powders. The magnetic hysteresis properties of the compacted rings made from the mechanically alloyed Fe- B-and Fe-B-Si-powders were measured. These results form a promising basis for the further development of new types of soft magnetic materials with the mechanical alloying method.