Synchronously enhancing the plasticity and soft magnetism in Fe-based metallic glasses through memory effect

Annealing has been a popular method to improve the soft magnetism of metallic glasses (MGs), which however usually makes MGs brittle and difficult to process. Here, it is demonstrated that the embrittled Fe-based MG can be reductilized and the coercivity can be further lowered through the rejuvenation of memory effect. The synchronous improvement in the plasticity and soft magnetic properties is attributed to the combination effects of releasing much residual stress, decreasing the magnetic anisotropy, and homogenizing the glasses during the rejuvenation process. The current work opens a new perspective to improve the properties of MGs by utilizing the memory effect and holds promising commercial application potential.