Indication of Intrinsic Macroscopic Forces Affecting Magnetic Properties of Fe-Nb/Mo-Cu-B-Si Ribbons

Si-rich (at.% Si >; 12) Fe-Nb/Mo-Cu-B-Si nanocrystalline ribbons are already successfully used in industry. Still the impact of intrinsic macroscopic stresses on magnetic anisotropy is not known in enough detail. Domain structure, hysteresis loops and surface chemistry have been studied in the as-annealed (nanocrystalline) state as well as the response to surface removal by etching. Creep-induced anisotropy established during annealing was found to be the essential source of the observed anisotropy. Apparently smooth gradient of transversal to longitudinal creep-induced anisotropy was identified from air-side center across the ribbon width as well as across the ribbon thickness. The relative rise of transversal anisotropy due to surface removal points to different surface etching efficiency. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of ferrous oxides on both the ribbon surfaces. The existence of a defined oxide layer generating the macroscopic stress was not indicated.