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We produced amorphous Fe-Si-B soft-magnetic powder using water atomisation. During annealing the powder particles developed a nanocrystalline structure, and annealing at over 700°C led to the formation of ferrite and boride phases. Here we present a high-magnification electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) mapping analysis of the powder particles, in combination with a field-emission-gun scanning electron microscopy (FEGSEM) analysis. Some of the problems associated with the preparation of the powder particles for the EBSD analysis as well as the drift problems occurring during the EBSD mapping are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Amorphous Fe74Si11B14Ni1 soft magnetic powder was produced by water atomisation. Crystallisation of amorphous powder was studied using multi-technique approach based on electron beams, including high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). It has been found that annealing of the amorphous Fe–Si–B powder at a temperature of 500°C leads to the formation of α-Fe phase in the form of two, three and four-branch dendritic grains. The Fe2B boride is crystallised at temperatures of over 500°C. In spite of the drift problem associated with EBSD, which is not yet resolved in any commercial EBSD system, the technique is very powerful and shows great promise as a high resolution characterisation method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]