Dependence of nanocrystalline phase formation and magnetic properties in Fe₂₅Ni₇₅ on ball milling time

Abstract

Nanocrystalline Fe₂₅Ni₇₅ powders were prepared by the mechanical alloying process. They were investigated by X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. The ball milling time dependence of grain size, internal strain and magnetic properties has been discussed. The results show that the formation of Fe₂₅Ni₇₅ alloy phase is almost completed after milling for 30 hours. The reduction of grain size accompanied by the growth of internal strain was observed after extended milling. An average grain size about 10–20 nm of alloyed powders has been determined by Sherrer formula estimation. The saturation magnetisation Ms has a slight increase when the average grain size continues to decrease by intensive milling. This fine size of mechanically alloyed powders (10–20 nm) results in a single domain magnetic structure and the formation of superparamagnetic phase.