Controlling Fe nanocrystallization in amorphous Fe86Zr7Cu1B6 by linear varying current Joule heating

Amorphous melt-spun Fe86Zr7Cu1B6 ribbons were annealed using the linear varying current Joule heating method. Experimental curves of resistance (R) and temperature (T) versus applied current (I) allow one to follow precisely the crystallization of alpha-Fe nanoparticles during annealing. This result proves that the applied current can be considered a reliable parameter to control the crystalline fraction in this alloy. A comparison between structural and magnetic measurements shows that the R(I) curve can be used as a guide to identify a condition for optimum soft magnetic properties of this alloy. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)02035-0].7791375137