Effects of Ga on the microstructure and magnetostriction of Fe-Ga alloys for actuators

The microstructure and magnetostrictive properties of Arc melted Fe100-x-Gax alloys (x = 20, 25) were studied. The results of the X-Ray Diffraction study confirm the presence of the A2 and DO3 phases in the body-centered cubic structure, which is consistent with previous findings. The increased lattice parameter of the alloy containing 25% Ga results in an increase in the alloy's total magnetic moment. According to the results of an optical microscopy study, the substitution of more Ga atoms results in an increase in grain size and a decrease in the number of dark pits. Due to interactions between domain walls, the coercivity (HC) of the Fe80-Ga20 alloy is lower than that of its counterpart alloy. Fe atoms' magnetic moments are directly proportional to the distance between them and their nearest neighbours in the local environment, and Ga does interrupt the Fe's nearest neighbours, resulting in an increase in saturation magnetization. The formation of the Ga-rich phase is also responsible for the increase in saturation and remanent magnetization. The alloy exhibited enhanced magnetostriction because of the structure and local symmetry placed at different lattices. Its improved magnetostriction makes the Fe75-Ga25 alloy particularly well suited for use in sensor and actuator applications.