Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Trace Tb addition accelerates secondary recrystallization of Goss texture in Fe–Ga thin sheets, enhancing magnetostrictive performance. • A 30% increase in magnetostriction is achieved in 0.07at% Tb-doped Fe81Ga19 thin sheets after quenching at 900°C. • The improvement is attributed to reduced Tb-rich precipitates and increased density of nanometer-sized modified-D03 inclusions. • The study offers a simple, efficient route combining trace rare-earth doping with conventional rolling for high-performance Fe–Ga thin sheets.
Abstract
Fe–Ga sheets with large magnetostriction are required for improving the conversion efficiency under the ultra-high frequency magnetic field. Trace Tb element doping can simultaneously improve the magnetostriction and ductility of Fe–Ga alloy. However, the impact of trace Tb doping on the microstructure and magnetostriction of Fe–Ga thin sheets is an open question. In this paper, the effects of trace Tb addition on the secondary recrystallization and magnetostriction of Fe–Ga thin sheets are systematically studied by comparing the characteristics evolution of precipitation, texture, and nanoinclusions. The results indicate that trace Tb addition accelerates the secondary recrystallization of Goss texture due to the combined action of the bimodal size distributed precipitates, smaller grains, and more HEGBs in primary recrystallization. After quenching at 900°C, the magnetostriction value in 0.07at%Tb-doped Fe81Ga19 thin sheets increases by 30% to that of Fe81Ga19 thin sheets. The increase in magnetostriction is attributed to the decrease in the number of Tb-rich precipitates and the higher density of the nanometer-sized modified-D03 inclusions induced by the dissolving of trace Tb elements after quenching. These results demonstrate a simple and efficient approach for preparing Fe–Ga thin sheets with a large magnetostrictive coefficient by a combination of trace RE element addition and conventional rolling method.
1. Introduction
RE-free Fe–Ga alloy offers a combination of large magnetostriction, low saturation conversion field, good mechanical properties, low cost, and high Curie temperature [1–2]. These advantages make the Fe–Ga alloy potential for new-generation magnetostrictive applications in sensors, transducers, and actuators. The conversion efficiency of high-power transducers can be improved by thin sheets for the low eddy-current loss under the condition of an ultra-high frequency magnetic field. <001>-oriented thin sheets are required for Fe–Ga alloy actuators because the Fe–Ga alloy exhibits a significantly anisotropic in magnetostrictive coefficient along the <001> directions [3–6]. Secondary recrystallization annealing is the key technology for enhancing the favorable <100> texture to improve the magnetostrictive coefficient of Fe–Ga thin sheets. Therefore, a large number of studies have focused on achieving the secondary recrystallization of η texture (<001>//rolling direction) by regulating the characteristics of precipitates and annealing processes [7–13].
Although larger magnetostriction is the top priority of the Fe–Ga sheet, the ductility of Fe–Ga alloy still needs to be improved for its low rollability. Great efforts focused on the effect of the third element alloying [14–19] or refractory carbide precipitates [20–22] on the mechanical properties and magnetostriction of Fe–Ga alloy. The mechanical properties of Fe–Ga alloy have been effectively enhanced by most third elements, but these elements generally lead to the degeneration of the magnetostrictive performance. Recently, researchers reported that the magnetostriction of melt-spun strips or directionally solidified rods of Fe–Ga alloy can be significantly enhanced by trace doping of RE elements [23–28]. The enhanced magnetostriction has been attributed to the nanosized modified-D03 phases, which results in a large tetragonal distortion in the A2 matrix induced by the solid solution of traces of RE atoms [29–31]. Besides, the strength and plasticity of Fe–Ga alloy can been improved by the addition of RE due to the precipitation of rich-RE phases [31–33]. Therefore, trace RE elements doping can not only promote the preparation efficiency of Fe–Ga thin sheet, but also has the potential to enhance the magnetostrictive coefficient of Fe–Ga thin sheet.
However, two core problems need to be solved in trace RE element doped Fe–Ga alloy thin sheet for the giant magnetostriction. Firstly, ho...
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Jiande Liu, Zhenghua He, Yuhui Sha, Xiaofei Zhu, Hongbo Hao, Lijia Chen, Liang Zuo (2025). Multiple impacts of trace Tb addition on the secondary recrystallization and magnetostriction of Fe–Ga thin sheet. Int. Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials (矿物冶金与材料学报). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-024-2943-3
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the effect of trace Tb addition on Fe-Ga thin sheets?
Trace Tb addition accelerates secondary recrystallization of Goss texture and increases magnetostriction by 30% after quenching at 900°C, due to reduced Tb-rich precipitates and enhanced modified-D03 nanoinclusions.
How does Tb doping improve magnetostriction in Fe-Ga alloys?
Tb doping leads to the formation of nanometer-sized modified-D03 phases that cause tetragonal distortion in the A2 matrix, enhancing magnetostriction. Quenching dissolves trace Tb, increasing the density of these inclusions.
What is the significance of secondary recrystallization in Fe-Ga thin sheets?
Secondary recrystallization is key to developing favorable <100> texture, which is essential for achieving high magnetostrictive coefficient in Fe-Ga thin sheets for high-frequency applications.
What are the practical applications of Fe-Ga thin sheets with enhanced magnetostriction?
These sheets are used in sensors, transducers, and actuators, especially in high-power transducers where low eddy-current loss and high conversion efficiency are required under ultra-high frequency magnetic fields.
What is the role of quenching in the processing of Tb-doped Fe-Ga thin sheets?
Quenching at 900°C dissolves trace Tb elements, reducing Tb-rich precipitates and increasing the density of modified-D03 nanoinclusions, which directly contributes to the enhanced magnetostriction.
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