Phase structures and magnetostriction of Fe71.3Ga28.7 alloys prepared by different solidification rates

Magnetostrictive property shows anisotropic characteristics, which are related to phase structure and crystal orientation. In this paper, phase structures and magnetostrictive properties of Fe71.3Ga28.7 at different solidification rates during zone-melting directional solidification were studied. Results show that when the solidification rate exceeds 72 mm/h, the sample has a single A2 structure. A multiphase structure of D0(3) and A2 is formed when the solidification rate is 36 mm/h. The multiphase structure of L1(2) and A2 emerges in the sample prepared with a solidification rate of 18 mm/h. The samples with L1(2) and A2 multiphase structure have excellent low-field magnetostrictive properties, reaching 68 x 10(-6) under a magnetic field of 20 kA/m.