Single Goss grain growth by isothermal annealing in rolled Fe–Al–Ga–NbC sheets

The (Fe 82 Al 13.5 Ga 4.5 ) 99.9 (NbC) 0.1 sheets with strong Goss texture and large magnetostriction were prepared by rolling and isothermal annealing processes. Single Goss grain growth was observed in sheets undergoing isothermal annealing at 1050 °C for 1 h using Ar as protecting gas. With annealing time increasing to 8 h at 1050 °C, a largest magnetostriction of 154 × 10 −6 is obtained in sheet and a large λ // (the maximum magnetostriction with magnetic field parallel to rolling direction) of 160 × 10 −6 along the rolling direction is also observed. The fact that a λ // of 160 × 10 −6 along RD can be achieved with only 4.5 at% Ga in the Fe-18 at% (Al, Ga) sheet is of practical importance. Compared with previous studies in Fe–Al and Fe–Ga sheets, this paper provides a more efficient approach to prepare strong Goss textured sheets. In this way, a slow continuous heating process, sulfur-induced surface energy control and high-temperature annealing above 1200 °C are no more necessary. It shows a good prospect for industrial production of high-performance magnetostrictive alloy sheets.