Nickel/Iron/Silicon/Boron Alloy,NiFeSiB Alloy,E FORU

### **Nickel-Iron-Silicon-Boron (NiFeSiB) Alloy - Amorphous and Nanocrystalline Soft Magnetic Material** #### **Overview** **Nickel-Iron-Silicon-Boron (NiFeSiB) Alloy** represents an important class of soft magnetic materials that can be processed into both amorphous and nanocrystalline states through rapid solidification techniques. These alloys are characterized by their unique disordered atomic structure, which results in exceptional soft magnetic properties, including very high permeability, low core losses, and near-zero magnetostriction in optimized compositions. The strategic combination of silicon and boron enables glass formation during rapid solidification while facilitating the formation of nanocrystalline structures upon subsequent annealing. --- #### **Chemical Composition (Atomic % - Typical Ranges)** | Element | Content (at.%) | Function | |---------|-------------|-----------| | **Nickel (Ni)** | **30-50%** | Controls saturation magnetization and Curie temperature | | **Iron (Fe)** | **Balance** | Primary magnetic element | | **Silicon (Si)** | **5-15%** | Glass former; enhances electrical resistivity | | **Boron (B)** | **5-20%** | Primary glass former; enables amorphous phase formation | | **Niobium (Nb)** | **0-3%** | Grain growth inhibitor in nanocrystalline versions | | **Copper (Cu)** | **0-2%** | Nucleation agent for nanocrystallization | --- #### **Physical & Mechanical Properties** | Property | Amorphous State | Nanocrystalline State | |----------|----------------|----------------------| | **Density** | 7.2-7.6 g/cm³ | 7.3-7.7 g/cm³ | | **Crystallization Temperature** | 400-550°C | 500-600°C | | **Electrical Resistivity** | 120-150 μΩ·cm | 80-120 μΩ·cm | | **Thermal Conductivity** | 8-15 W/m·K | 10-20 W/m·K | | **Coefficient of Thermal Expansion** | 8-12 × 10⁻⁶/°C | 9-13 × 10⁻⁶/°C | | **Vickers Hardness** | 800-1000 HV | 900-1100 HV | | **Tensile Strength** | 1500-2000 MPa | 1000-1500 MPa | | **Young's Modulus** | 100-150 GPa | 120-170 GPa | | **Ductility** | Limited | Brittle | --- #### **Magnetic Properties** | Property | Amorphous State | Nanocrystalline State | |----------|----------------|----------------------| | **Saturation Induction (Bsat)** | 0.8-1.2 T | 1.0-1.4 T | | **Initial Permeability (μi)** | 10,000-50,000 | 30,000-100,000 | | **Coercivity (Hc)** | 1-5 A/m | 0.5-2 A/m | | **Core Losses (at 100 kHz, 0.2 T)** | 200-500 kW/m³ | 100-300 kW/m³ | | **Curie Temperature** | 250-400°C | 300-500°C | | **Magnetostriction** | 5-20 × 10⁻⁶ | 0-2 × 10⁻⁶ | --- #### **Key Characteristics & Applications** **Key Characteristics:** - **Ultra-Low Core Losses**: Superior to conventional crystalline alloys at high frequencies - **High Permeability**: Excellent for weak field applications - **Near-Zero Magnetostriction**: In optimized compositions for reduced noise - **High Electrical Resistivity**: Reduced eddy current losses - **Excellent Frequency Response**: Stable properties up to several hundred kHz - **Brittle Nature**: Requires careful handling and processing **Typical Applications:** - **High-Frequency Transformers**: Switch-mode power supplies, resonant converters - **Magnetic Sensors**: Current sensors, field sensors, detection coils - **Common Mode Chokes**: EMI filters in power electronics - **Pulse Transformers**: Telecommunications, radar systems - **Magnetic Amplifiers**: Power control applications - **Ground Fault Interrupters**: Safety devices in electrical systems - **High-Q Inductors**: RF applications, communication equipment --- #### **Manufacturing & Processing** **Production Methods:** - **Melt Spinning**: Continuous ribbon production (20-30 μm thickness) - **Planar Flow Casting**: Wide amorphous ribbon production - **Powder Production**: Gas atomization for composite materials - **Thin Film Deposition**: Sputtering for micro-magnetic devices **Heat Treatment:** - **Stress Relief**: 300-400°C in magnetic field - **Nanocrystallization**: 500-600°C in controlled atmosphere - **Field Annealing**: Induced magnetic anisotropy --- #### **International Standards & Specifications** | Standard | Designation | Description | |----------|-------------|-------------| | **IEC** | **60404-8-9** | Amagnetic metallic materials | | **ASTM** | **A801** | Standard practice for steel castings | | **JIS** | **C2532** | Japanese standard for amorphous alloys | | **GB/T** | **19345** | Chinese standard for amorphous ribbons | | **Manufacturer Specifications** | **Various** | Company-specific grades (e.g., Vitroperm, Finemet) | --- #### **Quality Control & Testing** - **Magnetic Characterization**: B-H loop analysis, core loss measurement - **Structural Analysis**: X-ray diffraction for amorphous content - **Thermal Analysis**: DSC for crystallization behavior - **Mechanical Testing**: Hardness, bend tests for ductility - **Surface Quality**: Ribbon geometry and surface roughness --- #### **Comparison with Competing Materials** | Aspect | NiFeSiB Alloy | Silicon Steel | Ferrites | |--------|---------------|---------------|----------| | **Saturation Induction** | Medium-High | High | Low | | **Core Losses at 20 kHz** | Very Low | High | Low | | **Permeability** | Very High | Low-Medium | Medium-High | | **Cost** | Medium-High | Low | Low | | **Frequency Range** | Up to 500 kHz | Up to 10 kHz | Up to 1 MHz | --- #### **Summary** **Nickel-Iron-Silicon-Boron (NiFeSiB) Alloys** represent a sophisticated class of soft magnetic materials that bridge the gap between conventional crystalline alloys and ceramic ferrites. Their ability to be processed into either amorphous or nanocrystalline states allows for tailoring magnetic properties to specific applications, particularly in high-frequency power electronics and sensitive magnetic sensors. While the manufacturing process requires specialized rapid solidification equipment and careful thermal processing, the resulting materials offer unparalleled combination of high permeability, low losses, and excellent high-frequency performance. The continued development and standardization of these advanced magnetic materials support the ongoing trend toward higher efficiency, smaller size, and improved performance in modern electronic power systems and sensing applications.

Packing of Standard Packing: Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and steel drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 3223 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request.