Magnetic annealing of plated high saturation magnetization soft magnetic FeCo alloy films

Plated high saturation magnetization soft magnetic FeCo films were annealed in magnetic field; their stress, microstructure, and magnetic properties were investigated. The FeCo films consistently showed a reduced tensile stress after magnetic annealing at temperatures above 255 deg. C. The annealing temperature was found to be the primary factor in reducing the tensile stress, while annealing time was secondary. The FeCo films showed improved soft magnetic properties when subjected to an easy axis annealing with reduced coercivities along both the easy axis and hard axis. Hard axis annealing on these FeCo films caused a switched easy and hard axis in these films when the annealing temperature is above 255 deg. C