| Abstract Scope |
Maraging steels are traditional ultra-high-strength structural alloys prominent in hydrospace and aerospace applications. We evaluated the magnetic performance and properties of gas-atomized maraging steel powder, over a range of temperatures, and compared with commercial semi-hard magnetic alloys. The magnetic properties of the powders were characterized by vibrating sample magnetometry, while the structure by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The powders predominantly comprised martensite along with traces of retained-austenite and intermetallic compounds. The powders exhibited the following magnetic behavior at ambient temperature: magnetic saturation (Ms) ~176 Am2/kg, magnetic remanence (Mr) ~1 Am2/kg, coercivity (Hc) ~3 kA/m, and magnetic anisotropy (K1) ~1.8 x 106 J/m3. The Ms, K1, Hc, and Mr increased at sub-ambient temperatures. The magnetic moment per atom (µh) of the powder was estimated to be ~1.93 µB. With the increase in thermal-treatment temperature, the MS and Hc increased and decreased, respectively, marginally. |