Saturation magnetostriction of (Fe/sub 100-x/Co/sub x/)/sub 73.5/Cu/sub 1/Nb/sub 3/Si/sub 13.5/B/sub 9/ wires

A study on the effect of Co addition and annealing temperature performed between 400/spl deg/C and 600/spl deg/C for 1 hour on the saturation magnetostriction, /spl lambda//sub s/, of (Fe/sub 100-x/Co/sub x/)/sub 73.5/Cu/sub 1/Nb/sub 3/Si/sub 13.5/B/sub 9/ (x=0-25 at.%) wires 130 micrometers in diameter is presented. In the as-cast state the replacement of Fe with Co leads to a progressive decrease of the saturation magnetostriction (20/spl times/10/sup -6/ for x=0 to 8/spl times/10/sup -6/ for x=25). After annealing at temperatures up to about 450/spl deg/C a small increase of the /spl lambda//sub s/ value is obtained corresponding to the internal stresses relaxation. In the case of the samples annealed at temperatures above 500/spl deg/C, a significant decrease of /spl lambda//sub s/ was observed. The samples annealed at 550/spl deg/C present nanocrystalline character and a minimum value of the /spl lambda//sub s/ while the samples annealed at 600/spl deg/C are completely crystallized.