Synthesis and Characterisation of Nanocomposite Mo-Fe-B Thin Films Deposited by Magnetron Sputtering

Several ternary phases are known in the Mo-Fe-B system. Previous ab initio calculations have predicted that they should exhibit a tempting mix of mechanical and magnetic properties. In this study, we have deposited Mo-Fe-B films with a Fe-content varying from 0-37 at.% using non-reactive DC (direct...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Materials 2021-04, Vol.14 (7), p.1739
Main Authors: Malinovskis, Paulius, Fritze, Stefan, Palisaitis, Justinas, Lewin, Erik, Patscheider, Jörg, Persson, Per O Å, Jansson, Ulf
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Direct current
Iron
Magnetic properties
Magnetron sputtering
Mechanical properties
Metals
Modulus of elasticity
Molybdenum
Nanocomposites
Nanoindentation
Phase composition
Phases
Radiation
Scanning transmission electron microscopy
Spectrum analysis
Ternary systems
Thin films
Transmission electron microscopy
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Summary:Several ternary phases are known in the Mo-Fe-B system. Previous ab initio calculations have predicted that they should exhibit a tempting mix of mechanical and magnetic properties. In this study, we have deposited Mo-Fe-B films with a Fe-content varying from 0-37 at.% using non-reactive DC (direct current) magnetron sputtering. The phase composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and nanoindentation measurements. Films deposited at 300 °C and with >7 at.% Fe are nanocomposites consisting of two amorphous phases: a metal-rich phase and a metal-deficient phase. Hardness and elastic modulus were reduced with increasing Fe-content from ~29 to ~19 GPa and ~526 to ~353 GPa, respectively. These values result in H /E ratios of 0.089-0.052 GPa, thereby indicating brittle behaviour of the films. Also, no indication of crystalline ternary phases was observed at temperatures up to 600 °C, suggesting that higher temperatures are required for such films to form.
ISSN:1996-1944
1996-1944
DOI:10.3390/ma14071739