Microstructure evolution, magnetostrictive and mechanical properties of (Fe₈₃Ga₁₇)_99.9(NbC)_0.1 alloy ultra-thin sheets

The ultra-thin (Fe₈₃Ga₁₇)_99.9(NbC)_0.1 sheets with the thickness of 0.06–0.15 mm were prepared from the secondary recrystallized sheets via rolling. The recrystallization texture evolution, magnetostriction and mechanical properties in the rolled sheets during the annealing at 1200 °C for 1.5–3 h were investigated. Results indicated that the magnetostriction of the ultra-thin sheet was closely related to the texture evolution depended on heat-treatment process. The major textures in the as-rolled sheet were {113}<361> and {111}<112> deformed texture, and the saturation magnetostriction was only ~ 63 ppm. However, an ideal {100}<001> texture was obtained in the recrystallized sheets annealed at 1200 °C for 2 h, producing a corresponding magnetostriction of 147 ppm. Based on texture analysis, the appearance of cubic texture is mainly the consequence of the existence of cubic nuclei and transitional orientation {113}<361> in deformed grains as well as the lowest surface energy at the (100) plane. Compared with Goss secondary recrystallized (Fe₈₃Ga₁₇)_99.9(NbC)_0.1 sheet with a thickness of 0.3 mm, the tensile ductility of cubic recrystallized ultra-thin (Fe₈₃Ga₁₇)_99.9(NbC)_0.1 sheet was obviously improved from 2.4 to 4.4%, which was mainly attributed to the primary recrystallized microstructure with small grain size and transgranular fracture mode. The ultra-thin cubic textured (Fe₈₃Ga₁₇)_99.9(NbC)_0.1 sheets could significantly reduce eddy current losses at high frequency, and meet the requirements of low eddy current loss and high toughness for specific applications, such as ultrasonic applications and torque sensors.