Nanocrystalline Soft Magnetic Alloys for Space Applications

Abstract

This study focuses on a Co-based nanocrystalline alloy (Co_84.55Fe_4.45Zr₇B₄) with potential for long-term high temperature use. As an indication of their performance, core losses were measured on toroidal samples using a Walker AC permeameter over a frequency range of 0.1 to 500 kHz, at induction amplitudes of 100, 300, and 500 mT, and temperatures from 22 to 300°C. For a given frequency and maximum induction amplitude, the losses were invariant as a function of measurement temperature. Vibrating sample magnetometry provided the magnetization and hysteretic losses as a function of temperature. As the temperature of the alloy was raised to 300°C from room temperature, the saturation magnetization (120 emu/g)was reduced by less than 15%. A toroid was aged at 300°C for up to 300 hours and core loss measured as a function of aging time at the previously mentioned frequencies and induction amplitudes. The losses were invariant over the aging time.