Abstract

Magnetic properties of Fe-rich amorphous wires, prepared by in-rotating-water-quenching technique and submitted to a post cold-drawing process (to reduce the initial diameter) have been studied. The experiments have been performed using magneto-optical Kerr effect and fluxmetric methods in crossed axial and circular magnetic fields. The helical magnetic structure has been found in the surface and in the volume of the wire. The angle of helical anisotropy has been evaluated to be around 45degrees with respect to the axial direction at the surface of the wire decreasing to 39degrees through the volume of the wire. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.