Effect of Si element and TiB2 nucleating agent on microstructure and magnetic properties of Cu-based immiscible composites by laser melting deposition

The magnetic property endows Cu-Fe alloy with huge application perspective in electromagnetic field. The pathway however to improve both segregation and magnetic property simultaneously remains unclear. In this work, we explore a method consisting of laser melting deposition (LMD) and third-element addition. As the Si element is introduced, the LMD-(Cu65Fe35)10Si immiscible composite shows a duplex micro-structure with the heterogeneous Fe3Si and alpha-Fe (Si) particles embedded inside epsilon-Cu matrix, resulting a low coercivity (7.03 Oe) and high saturation magnetization (29.0 emu/g). We further investigate the distribution of Fe-rich phase via the TiB2 particles as nucleating agent, the resulting LMD-((Cu65Fe35)10Si)2.5TiB2 composite shows a sandwich structure with greatly reduced defects and homogenous dispersed particles. The increased coercivity (28.2 Oe) and saturation magnetization (49.5 emu/g) are obtained, and the relevant mechanism regarding microstructure to magnetic property is revealed. This work offers a new possibility for tuning magnetic property of Cu-Fe alloy.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study improves the segregation and magnetic properties of Cu-Fe alloy through laser melting deposition and third-element addition. The introduction of Si element results in a composite with low coercivity and high saturation magnetization. By using TiB2 particles as nucleating agents, the composite exhibits increased coercivity and saturation magnetization.