The effect of interactions on the saturation remanence of particulate assemblies

The effect of interactions on the saturation remanence of assemblies of identical, uniaxially anisotropic, single-domain particles is calculated using a spatial-mean interaction field. The particle easy-axis directions are assumed known and given by a distribution function. The remanence is determined by finding the magnetization orientation functional of the particle easy-axis orientation which minimizes the total assembly energy. Curves of remanence versus interaction strength (assembly packing fraction) are shown for a) randomly oriented assemblies of spherical particles with uniaxial crystalline anisotropy only, b) randomly oriented assemblies of acicular particles with shape anisotropy, and c) oriented assemblies of acicular particles with 6:1 aspect ratio. Disregarding external sample-shape demagnetization effects, this model always yields increased remanences due to interactions. A criterion is given which predicts when external shape effects are capable of dominating the net interaction field to yield a reduction in remanence. The applicability of these results and extensions of the theory are discussed in relation to particle assemblies in magnetic tape and high coercivity CoNiP films.     

Mössbauer study of orientation of particles in magnetic recording tapes

Mössbauer spectrum method was applied on tapes prepared using γ-Fe2O3, cobalt-epitaxial iron oxides and Fe particles to estimate the direction of orientation of the particles in the tapes. The coercivity and the squareness of the tapes was in the range of about 340 to 1140 Oe and 0.82 to 0.86, respectively. The γ-ray was applied to the tapes from the direction of the tape travel and the direction perpendicular to the tape plane. The angle of the orientation of the particles in the tapes was 29 -34 degree from the direction of the tape travel. The direction of magnetic moment in remanent state determined by Mössbauer method nearly agreed with that determined by hysteresis measurement. In the remanent state, the degree of discrepancy between the direction of orientation of particles and the direction of magnetic moment in particles increased with decreasing coercivity. It was considered that the magnetic moment in particles with lower coercivity tended to be inclined to the direction of tape plane.     

AC loss characteristics of YBCO conductors carrying transport currents in external AC magnetic fields

In this work we present dependence of AC losses in a YBCO tape conductor carrying an AC transport current in an external AC magnetic field on the angle between the direction of the external field and the tape face of the conductor. The losses were measured by a calorimetric method whose validity was proven by simultaneous electric and calorimetric measurements of the losses in the same part of the conductor. The experiment was conducted at 77 K. The measured data show that the AC losses are dominated by the normal component of the external magnetic field to the tape surface. It is also shown that the AC losses sharply drop when the external magnetic field is parallel to the tape surface, which is due to extremely high aspect ratio of the YBCO conductor.     

Effect of crystalline properties on coercive force in iron acicular fine particles

Crystallographic properties and their size dependence in acicular fine particles of iron prepared by reduction from-FeOOH were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and compared with magnetic properties. Although both larger particles with an average needle length of 0.5m and smaller ones of 0.2m length have single domain configuration, the former are crystal lographicaIly polycrystalline while the latter are single crystal with a [100] axial orientation, an easy magnetization direction of iron. The coercive force, principally yielded by external shape anisotropy, is higher in smaller particles in spite of their inferior axial ratio. The intrinsic magnetocrystalline anisotropy is inferred to be the most responsible to give rise to this further increase of coercive force. The experimentally obtained values of magnetic properties are also compared with the theoretical estimation, which results semi-quantitatively in good accordance.     

On the texture of γFe2O3particles in magnetically and mechanically oriented magnetic tape

The degree of preferred orientation in magnetic recording tape was investigated by an X-ray pole figure technique and by measuring magnetic properties. Acicular γFe2O3particles dispersed in PVA film were oriented by mechanical stretching and magnetic orientation. The pole figures of these samples indicated the texture with [110] to the orientating direction. The degree of orientation in stretched film was much higher than in magnetically oriented film. Further, it was observed that the particles tend to align uniaxially in mechanical orientation, and biaxially in magnetic orientation.     

Measurement of the Viscosity of Dilute Magnetic Fluids

The capillary tube viscometer is used to measure the viscosity of aqueous magnetic fluids under the influence of parallel and perpendicular magnetic fields. The effects of the volume fraction of the suspended magnetic particles, the concentration of surfactants, and the external magnetic field strength, as well as the orientation, on the viscosity of the magnetic fluid are analyzed. The experimental results show that the viscosity of the sample magnetic fluids increases with increases in the concentrations of suspended magnetic particles and surfactants. The external magnetic field is also an important factor that affects the viscosity of the magnetic fluid. The viscosity first increases with the magnetic field and finally approaches a constant as the magnetization attains a saturation state. For the same magnetic fluid, the viscosity in a perpendicular magnetic field is larger than that in a parallel magnetic field for the same magnetic field.Paper presented at the Seventh Asian Thermophysical Properties Conference, August 23–28, 2004, Hefei and Huangshan, Anhui, P. R. China     

Characteristics of barium ferrite tape for magnetic contactduplication

The magnetic properties and electromagnetic characteristics of Ba-ferrite tape for R-DAT magnetic contact duplication (MCD) were investigated. The tapes employed Ba-ferrite particles averaging 0.06 μm in diameter with an aspect ratio between 4 and 5. Ba-ferrite tapes were prepared with perpendicular, longitudinal, and no orientation, and their MCD and ring-head recording (RHR) characteristics were compared. Several distinctive characteristics were observed in MCD, and the desirability of perpendicular orientation at short wavelengths in MCD applications is clear. Tilted orientation was also investigated, and its output level was similar to that of perpendicular orientation in MCD, while in RHR it proved superior to perpendicular orientation in the short wavelength region. The magnetization mode of the slave tape was studied by waveform analysis using the FFT method and in conjunction with the tapes' magnetic properties, such as uniaxial anisotropy energy, remanence coercivity, and squareness ratio     

Analysis of Current and Magnetic Distributions in REBCO Superconducting Coated Conductors in Self- and External Fields

The influence of a self-field on the critical current density J _c for a REBCO superconducting tape is presented in this paper. The distributions of the current density and magnetic field are analyzed in the tape under three kinds of conditions, i.e., applying an external magnetic field only, applying a transport current only, and applying a transport current together with an external magnetic field. In the analysis, the two-dimensional Poisson equation for the vector potential is employed. For the convenience of calculation, that the dependence of critical current versus the perpendicular and parallel fields tested from experiment is substituted for the traditional Kim-type or Bean model. The results show that the distributions of the current density and magnetic field in the REBCO tape change for the different frequencies and amplitudes of the transport current I _a and applied magnetic field B _a.     

Beta tricalcium phosphate ceramics with controlled crystal orientation fabricated by application of external magnetic field during the slip casting process

Beta tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is a resorbable bioceramic that has hitherto been utilized in the medical field. Since it crystallizes in the anisotropic hexagonal system, properties such as chemical and physical ones are expected to depend on its crystal axis direction and/or on its crystal plane (anisotropy). Control of crystal orientation is thus important when used in polycrystalline form. Meanwhile, application of a strong magnetic field has been found to be a promising technique to control crystal orientation of anisotropic shape or structured crystals. In this work, we attempted to fabricate β-TCP ceramics with controlled crystal orientation by applying an external magnetic field during the slip casting process and subsequently sintering them at 1050 °C, below the β–α transition temperature. Application of a vertical magnetic field increased intensities of planes perpendicular to c-plane on the top surface, while a horizontal one with simultaneous mechanical mold rotation decreased it. These results indicated that crystal orientation of β-TCP ceramics were successfully controlled by the external magnetic field and together that the magnetic susceptibility of β-TCP is χ_c⊥ > χ_c//.     

Smart composites of urethane elastomers with carbonyl iron

Smart composites based on carbonyl-iron particles in a polyurethane matrix, known as magnetorheological elastomers (MREs), were manufactured and studied. The influence of ferromagnetic particle content and particle arrangement in relation to an external magnetic field was investigated. Several different elastomers with different stiffnesses were used as matrices. It was found that the structure of a fabricated MRE depends on the viscosity of the matrix before curing and the flux density of the applied magnetic field. Two different magnetic field strengths were used: 0.1 and 0.3 T. The amount of carbonyl iron particles was varied from 1.5 to 33.0 vol%. Scanning electron microscopy technique was used to observe MRE microstructure. The particles’ orientation and their arrangement were also investigated by vibrating sample magnetometer. A correlation was found between MRE microstructure and magnetic properties. Compression tests on cylindrical samples in the presence and absence of a magnetic field showed that a magnetic field increased the stiffness of the material. Additionally the rheological properties of MREs were tested in a magnetic field. It was found that the amount of ferromagnetic particles and their arrangement have a significant influence on the rheological properties of MREs. The highest relative change of storage modulus under 200 mT magnetic field, equal to 282%, was recorded for samples with 11.5 vol% of particles.     

The DORF effect: Magnetization ripple in particulate media

In 1966, Pearce [1] introduced without analysis the DORF Effect (DisOrientation by Reverse Field) in liquid dispersions of acicular magnetic particles. Bate and Dunn [2] modified orientation magnets to circumvent the effect and produce recording tapes with improved orientation. This paper describes studies of the DORF Effect and analyzes the behavior of particle groups in liquid media when a reverse field is applied. Magnetization reversal occurs by particle group rotation through a symmetric fanning mechanism which shares features with the magnetization ripple phenomenon [3,4] in continuous metal films. The critical field for particle disorientation follows a dipole-dipole interaction relation like that discussed by Jacobs and Bean [5]. For gamma ferric oxide, critical fields are distributed over the range from 20 to 100 Oe. Rotating sample magnetometer data show the DORF Effect is a destruction of uniaxial anisotropy without creation of biaxial or other anisotropies. Hysteresis work in liquid samples is almost totally due to friction between moving particles.     

The measurement of the anisotropy field of single "tape" particles

The uniaxial anisotropy field Haof nominally single acicular particles was measured by three different methods, and the coercivity was also found. A very dilute suspension was made in a viscous liquid, and a particle observed with the microscope. Various types of magnetic field were then applied, and the particle's change in orientation enabledH_{a}, H_{c}and/or Hrto be determined. One method gave anomalously low values for Ha, but it was possible to reconcile the results. The larger values lay in a range consistent with the chain-of-spheres and prolate ellipsoid models. There was a linear relationship between Haand Hr(or Hc). The results suggested new reversal mechanisms.     

Recommendation of a simple and universally applicable method for measuring the switching field distribution of magneting recording media

The most common methods for assessing the switching field distribution (SFD) of magnetic recording media are compared for samples of acicular magnetic particles made of different types of magnetic materials and having various degrees of particle orientation. It is shown that the method of using the maximum slopedM/dH = M_{R}/H_{c}(1-S*)atM = 0of the magnetic hysteresis loopM(H)can be used to characterize SFD of the irreversible magnetization processes which correlate to the recording performance. Thus, (1-S*) is recommended as the most easily accessible and universally applicable figure of merit for SFD.     

A device for measuring the concentration and dispersion quality ofmagnetic particle suspensions

A technique, called rheomagnetic measurement, for studying the concentration and orientation of magnetic particles through inductance measurement is presented. The particles are oriented in a predominantly extensional flow field, and, because they are magnetic, their orientation can be detected with a weak magnetic sensing field. Because flocs of magnetic particles orient differently in a flow field than primary particles do, this method can be useful in obtaining information about the particle flocculation aspect of dispersion quality. A magnetic sensing field can also be used to detect the particle concentration in a quiescent flow. Experimental data on the effects of particle concentration and milling for rod-like γ-Fe₂O₃ and plate-like Ba-ferrite suspensions are discussed. The results for Ba-ferrite magnetic markedly contrast with those for the rod-like magnetic particles but showed similarity with those for rod-like γ-Fe₂O₃     

Peculiarities of the magnetization reversal in heterophase nanocomposite permanent magnets

We have studied the process of magnetization reversal in a thin-film Fe/Sm₂Co₇ exchange coupled bilayer structure under the action of an in-plane external field. An analysis of the local magnetization changes, as measured using the magnetooptical indicator film technique, showed that the magnetization reversal proceeds by inhomogeneous rotation of the magnetic moments in Fe and SmCo layers, both in plane and in the perpendicular direction. It is established that, because of the exchange interaction between layers, the magnetization reversal along the easy axis in the entire structure is determined primarily by the formation of exchange-induced spin helices and domain walls in the magnetically soft layer, whereas the magnetization reversal at an angle of α with respect to the easy axis plays a significant role in the magnetically hard layer and becomes dominating for α=90°.     

Influence of reduction temperature on coercivities, coercivity factors and rheological properties of γ-Fe2O3and silica coated γ-Fe2O3

The transformation of α-FeOOH into γ-Fe2O3via Fe3O4is studied in order to determine the influence of the reduction temperature on the magnetic and rheological properties of the final product. The study was carried out both on pure and on silica coated α-FeOOH. It was found that the reduction temperature at which a maximum of coercivity is obtained, varies with particle size, and it is much higher for silica coated samples which also show higher coercivity at the optimum reduction temperature. Coercivity factors (CF percent) and Mr/Ms values are also dependent on particle size. It is shown that coating with silica enables the reduction to be carried out at higher temperatures without significant collapse of the acicular shape.     

Enhancing fine particle separation by hybrid-electrostatic-turbulence coagulation: An experimental and numerical investigation

The electrostatic precipitator(ESP) has low efficiency in removing sub-micron particles. Coagulation technology, as a fine particle pretreatment technology, uses an external effect to agglomerate and grow fine particles, increase the average particle size, and make it easier to remove by subsequent dust removal equipment. However, the coagulation efficiency of a single coagulation technology is limited. Aiming at the particle charging mechanism and coagulation mechanism in the electric/turbulent composite coagulation process of fine particles, this paper uses a combination of numerical simulation and experiment to study the effects of different structural parameters, discharge parameters and flue gas parameters on corona discharge and particle charge. On this basis, the coagulation characteristics of charged particles in the turbulent flow field are studied. The results show that, when the Angle between the tip of the arista electrode is 90°, the corona discharge effect is the best. With the increase of supply voltage and temperature, the charge of particles increases. When the applied positive voltage is 29 kV and negative voltage is ?35 kV, the total coagulation coalescence efficiency of fine particles reaches the maximum. The coagulation efficiency increases with the increase of temperature, but decreases with the increase of inlet flow rate.     

On the influence of magnetic field processing on the texture,phase assemblage and properties of low aspect ratio Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox/AgMg wire

Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_x/AgMg conductors are potentially important for many applications up to 20 K, including magnets for cryogen-free magnetic resonance imaging and high field nuclear magnetic resonance research. One promising approach to increased critical current density is partial-melt processing in the presence of a magnetic field which has been shown to enhance c-axis texturing of wide, thin tape conductors. Here, we report on low aspect ratio rectangular conductors processed in an 8 T magnetic field. The magnetic field is applied during different stages of the heat treatment process. The conductors are electrically characterized using four-point critical current measurements as a function of magnetic field and magnetic field orientation relative to the conductor. The superconductive transition and magnetization hysteresis are measured using a SQUID magnetometer. The microstructures are characterized using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy and analyzed using digital image processing. It is found that the presence of a magnetic field during split melt processing enhances the electrical transport and magnetic behavior, but that the anisotropy is not consistently affected. The magnetic field also affects development of interfilamentary Bi2212 bridges, and that this depends on the initial shape of the Bi2212 filament. At least two behaviors are identified; one impacts the oxide phase assemblage and the other impacts textured growth.     

Dynamic Self‐Assembly of Magnetic/Polymer Composites in Rotating Frames of Reference

Small ferromagnetic particles suspended in a rotating viscous polymer and subjected to an external static magnetic field dynamically self‐assemble into open‐lattice, periodic structures. Depending on the orientation of the magnetic field with respect to the system's axis of rotation, these structures range from arrays of parallel plates to single, double, triple, or even quaternary helices. Dynamic self‐assembly in this rotating frame of reference can be explained by an interplay between magnetic, dipole–dipole, viscous drag, and centripetal forces. Once formed, the dynamic aggregates can be made permanent by thermally curing the polymer matrix.     

High-field magnetism in non-polar γ-Fe2O3recording particles

Fine γ-Fe2O3particles produced by a process which involves hydrothermal conversion of iron hydroxides to α-Fe2O3have been investigated. Such particles appear to lack pores or dentrites which cause internal magnetic poles, and exhibit superior properties for magnetic recording. Mössbauer spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron-microscopy were used. The particles were of length 250-500 nm and width 35-50 nm; some samples had cobalt adsorbed onto the surface. Mössbauer spectra were collected at temperatures from 4.2 to 300 K, and in zero and 5 T applied magnetic fields. In general the patterns are typical of bulk γ-Fe2O3. The 300 K spectra of Co-doped samples show sub-patterns of weak intensity associated with at least two distinct additional components with reduced splitting. One of these has Bhf= 45.2(2) T; its origin is suggested to be iron-atoms lying in or close to the cobalt-modified surface. In a 5 T field, the iron-atom moments deviate from the applied field direction by average angles in the range 13-15°. Because the angle for conventional similarly sized γ-Fe2O3issim 13deg, it is concluded that the improved particle morphology does not lead to an improvement in the high-field alignment.