Microstructure, Magnetic Properties, and Application of FINEMET-Type Alloys with Co Addition

Abstract

The choice of materials for cores of electrotechnical devices is currently related to energy saving and global warming problems. Nanocrystalline alloys are emerging as materials for cores in these devices in addition to amorphous materials already commonly used due to their better magnetic properties at high operating frequencies. The thermal stability of the magnetic properties of cores is also an important criterion. Keeping these criteria in mind, a study of microstructure and magnetic properties was carried out in this work, and FeCoNbBCu-type material was selected for use as the core of a choke operating in a DC/DC converter in interleaved topology. On the basis of the conducted studies, it was found that good magnetic properties and the best thermal stability were shown by Fe58Co25Nb3B13Cu1 alloy. Using RALE software, the technical parameters of the choke core were determined and compared with the same parameters for a choke core made of FINEMET-type alloy.

Keywords

• FeCo-based nanocrystalline alloys
• microstructure
• magnetic properties
• magnetic cores