Improvement in different properties of the permalloy by nano-Cr2O3 incorporation

Abstract

Abstract: This paper deals with the study of improvement in different properties of the Ni–Fe alloy matrix by incorporation of Cr2O3 nanoparticles. Ni–Fe/Cr2O3 nanocomposite coatings were electrodeposited from ethylene glycol bath at several current densities using nickel sulfamate and ferrous sulfate. The coatings were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Although a change in the surface morphology from fine granular to coarse granular was observed on the incorporation of Cr2O3 nanoparticles, surface roughness of the composite coatings was found lower than the alloy at the optimum current density. At lower current density, preferred orientation of the coating was found along (111) plane while at higher current densities it was along (200) plane. An improvement in the microhardness of the Ni–Fe alloy was recorded (>900 HV) after the nano-Cr2O3 incorporation. Despite incorporation of ceramic particles above 5 wt%, lower electrical resistivity and higher corrosion resistance of the alloy matrix were retained in the nanocomposite coatings. The deposits have shown soft magnetic characteristics. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media B.V.