Microstructure and magnetic properties of Ce10+xFe84-xB6 nanocrystalline ribbons versus preparation conditions

Results on the magnetic and structural properties of Ce10+xFe78-xB6 (x = 0, 2, 4, 6) ribbons with good potential for the manufacturing of permanent magnets are presented. Ce-Fe-B based ribbons have been prepared by melt-spinning technique. The as-spun ribbons reveal either amorphous or nanocrystalline structure depending on the velocity of the wheel. In order to obtain ribbons with optimum nanocrystalline structure and magnetic properties, the as-spun ribbons with amorphous structure were annealed for different periods of time at temperatures ranging between 650 and 750 degrees C. It was found that the nanocrystalline ribbons obtained by optimal annealing of amorphous precursors presented better magnetic properties compared to the nanocrystalline ribbons obtained directly by rapid quenching from the melt. The best magnetic properties have been obtained for the amorphous Ce14Fe80B6 ribbons after annealing at 700 degrees C for 20 min. when the coercivity was about 6.08 kOe, remanence about 7.7 kG and energy product of 8.21 MGOe. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.