The Effects of Annealing After Equal Channel Angular Extrusion (ECAE) on Mechanical and Magnetic Properties of 49Fe-49Co-2V Alloy

Equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) of 49Fe-49Co-2V, also known as Hiperco® 50A or Permendur-2V, greatly improves the strength and ductility of this alloy, while sacrificing soft magnetic performance. ECAE Hiperco specimens were subjected to post-ECAE annealing in order to improve soft magnetic properties. The microstructure, mechanical properties, and magnetic performance are summarized in this study. Annealing begins above 650 °C and a steep decline in yield strength is observed for heat treatments between 700 °C and 840 °C due to grain growth and the Hall–Petch effect, although some strength benefit is still observed in fully annealed ECAE material compared to conventionally processed bar. Soft magnetic properties were assessed through B–H hysteresis curves from which coercivity ( H c ) values were extracted. H c decreases rapidly with annealing above 650 °C as well, i.e ., improved soft magnetic behavior. The observed trend is attributed to annealing and grain growth in this temperature regime, which facilitates magnetic domain wall movement. The coercivity vs grain size results generally follow the trend predicted in the literature. The magnetic behavior of annealed ECAE material compares favorably to conventional bar, possibly due to mild crystallographic texturing which enhances properties in the post-ECAE annealed material. Overall, this study highlights a definitive tradeoff between mechanical and magnetic properties brought about by post-ECAE annealing and grain growth.