Iron/Boron/Silicon Wire - Material Information

Iron–boron–silicon (Fe–B–Si) alloys belong to the family of metallic glasses, or amorphous metals, which are characterized by a disordered atomic structure rather than a crystalline lattice. These materials exhibit exceptional combinations of magnetic softness, high strength, and corrosion resistance. The Fe–B–Si alloy system is particularly known for its superior magnetic performance and mechanical durability, making it an ideal choice for advanced electrical, structural, and coating applications.

Material Overview

Metallic glasses such as Fe–B–Si are typically produced by rapid quenching, which prevents crystallization and results in an amorphous atomic structure. This lack of grain boundaries gives rise to high mechanical strength (often exceeding 3 GPa), excellent elastic limits, and low magnetic coercivity. Hoselitz (1980) identified a low-coercivity region in Fe–Si–B glasses when the silicon content exceeds 12 at.% and boron is approximately 15 at.%, correlating with increased Curie temperatures and thermal stability. These alloys often have high electrical resistivity (~130 μΩ·cm) and retain magnetic softness even at cryogenic temperatures. Later studies (Na et al., 2014) showed that Fe–Si–B–Ni-based glasses maintain high yield strength and corrosion resistance while exhibiting ferromagnetic behavior, demonstrating their versatility across structural and electronic domains.

Applications and Advantages

Iron–boron–silicon metallic glasses are used extensively in soft magnetic applications, such as transformer cores, sensors, magnetic shielding, and precision inductors. Their low hysteresis loss and high magnetic permeability enhance energy efficiency in electrical systems. Additionally, Fe–B–Si wires have been applied in composite reinforcement and cutting technologies, as noted by Branagan and Paratore (2010), where their fine wire morphology and spinodal glass microstructure provide exceptional wear resistance and cutting precision. These properties make Fe–B–Si alloys a material of choice for high-frequency magnetic components, flexible electronic substrates, and structural reinforcements requiring high elasticity and durability.

Goodfellow Availability

Goodfellow supplies Iron/Boron/Silicon wire in high-purity, amorphous form suitable for research and development in soft magnetics, coatings, and composite reinforcement. Each wire is produced with precise control over composition and cooling rate to preserve amorphous characteristics. Custom geometries and specialized dimensions are available on request for advanced research or industrial applications.

Explore Iron/Boron/Silicon - Wire - Material Information and other advanced materials in Goodfellow’s online catalogue: Goodfellow product finder.

References

• Hoselitz, K. (1980). Magnetic properties of iron–boron–silicon metallic glasses. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 19(1), 83–92.
• Na, J. H., Floyd, M., Demetriou, M. D., Johnson, W. L., Garrett, G., & Launey, M. (2014). Bulk nickel–silicon–boron glasses bearing iron. US Patent.
• Branagan, D. J., & Paratore, D. (2010). Method and product for cutting materials. US Patent.
• Branagan, D. J., Meacham, B. E., Walleser, J. K., Sergueeva, A. V., Ball, A. T., & Justice, G. G. (2011). Glassy nano-materials. US Patent.