Effect of boron and chromium on magnetostriction and mechanical properties of polycrystalline Fe₈₃Ga₁₇ alloy

The effects of B and Cr additions on the magnetostriction and mechanical properties of polycrystalline Fe₈₃Ga₁₇ alloy were investigated.It was found that 1%(atom fraction) addition of B increased the magnetostriction of the Fe₈₃Ga₁₇ alloy and improved the room temperature ductility and tensile strength.Compared with the Fe₈₃Ga₁₇ alloy,the elongation and tensile strength of the(Fe₈₃Ga₁₇)₉₉B₁ alloy increased to 3.56% and 548 MPa,respectively.The element of B precipitated at grain boundaries in the form of Fe₂B,resulted in that the grains refined and the grain boundary cohesion increased,so that granular fracture was inhibited.The element of Cr dissolved as Cr atoms in the matrix Fe₈₃Ga₁₇ alloy.The 2%(atom fraction) addition of Cr improved both the magnetostriction and room temperature mechanical properties of the Fe₈₃Ga₁₇ alloy.The maximum magnetostriction and elongation of the(Fe₈₃Ga₁₇)₉₈Cr₂ alloy were 7×10^-5 and 0.6%,respectively.