Phase separation and microstructure controlled magnetic properties of rapidly quenched Nd60Fe30Al10

The structure and magnetic properties of glassy Nd60Fe30Al10 splat-quenched samples have been investigated by small angle neutron scattering, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The results of these investigations show the coexistence of two magnetic phases characterized by different ordering temperatures and indicate phase separation in the Nd60Fe30Al10 samples. The presence of chemical inhomogeneities in the amorphous sample is confirmed by small angle neutron scattering data, which exhibit power law behaviour with an exponent of −2.3 and indicate the formation of a mass fractal network. Decomposition during the cooling process is discussed as the key to explain the magnetic properties of the glassy Nd60Fe30Al10 splat-cooled samples by a domain wall pinning process within the two-phase microstructure.