Abstract
The relationship between the microstructure and magnetic properties of electrodeposited Fe-Ni binary alloy thin films throughout the composition range was investigated. In such films an α (bcc) phase existed up to 15at%Ni, a γ (fcc) phase existed beyond 35 at%Ni, and a mixed phase of α and γ existed from 15 to 35 at%Ni. The grain size of a film depended on the alloy composition without potential and the current density. The grain size of the α phase increased with the Fe content, while the grain size of the γ phase increased with the Ni content; therefore, the grain size of the mixed phase was the finest (< 10 nm) in all the obtained films. The saturated magnetization was proportional to the alloy composition. Dependence of the coercivity on the thickness and coercivity of thinner films (< 500nm) was strongly affected by the grain size.
