Local structure and magnetic properties of mechanically alloyed Fe60Mn40

Fe60Mn40 alloys were fabricated by mechanical alloying process for 1 h, 4 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h, respectively. The structural evolution during the milling process has been investigated by X-ray diffraction and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). The structural investigation shows that the alloying was activated in 6 h and progressed significantly in 24 h. Also, it showed that the BCC characteristics of the mixed powder remained after 6 h milling but disappeared after 12 h milling, It has been shown that variations of magnetic properties were closely related to the local structural evolution. (C) 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.