Correlation between microstructure and first-order magnetization reversal in the SmCo5/α-Fe nanocomposite magnets

• DOI: 10.1016/j.physleta.2011.02.006
• Publication Date: 2011-02-04T09:25:41Z
• Authors: Chuan-bing Rong; Ying Zhang; M.J. Kramer; J. Ping Liu
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

Abstract SmCo 5 / α -Fe nanocomposite magnets with different morphology have been fabricated by ball milling of the micrometer sized SmCo 5 and α -Fe powders. The α -Fe grains vary from elongated nano-strips to spherical nanoparticles with increasing milling time. The inter-phase exchange coupling is enhanced with increasing milling time due to reduced grain size. The first-order reversal curves (FORCs) are taken to identify optimal conditions for exchange coupling. It has been found that the stripped morphology results in weak inter-phase exchange coupling, while enhanced exchange coupling is observed with further reduction of the soft-phase grain size. Compared with the measurement of demagnetization curves, FORC analysis provides more information on the magnetostatic as well as the exchange interactions.