Magnetic Behavior of a Eutectic Alloy Featuring an Aligned Array of Iron Rods

Abstract

As-cast and controlled-solidification structures have been produced in the Fe-FeS eutectic. The latter structure consists of an aligned parallel array of Fe rods approximately 2 μ in diameter embedded in and separated by a matrix of FeS. These rods grow with an [001] fiber texture such that the [001] direction coincides with the long direction of the Fe particles. Magnetization and torque results reveal distinct differences between the two structures. The magnetic properties that were determined for the eutectic alloy are interpreted with regard to the multidomain structure of the Fe particles and the relative contributions of the shape anisotropy and crystal anisotropy present in the Fe phase of the solidification structures.