Crystallographic structure and magnetic properties of electrodeposited cobalt and cobalt alloys

The connection between plating conditions and elements of the structure (phase composition, texture and its perfection, grain size) is considered first and then is discussed the correlation between structure parameters and magnetic properties. The structure parameters' influence on magnetic properties is explained in light of the contribution of different types of magnetic energy. The dependence of magnetic properties of cobalt layers on the phase composition and texture perfection is demonstrated using specific X-ray methods for their quantitative determination for the case of axial texture presence. The hierarchy of the structural parameters' effect on the magnetic properties of electrodeposited cobalt is outlined. The influence of internal stress (caused by hydrogen desorption) on the magnetic properties of electrodeposited cobalt is illustrated in case, where the structure remains unchanged. The data for the calculated (on the base of the existing axial texture) and the measured values of magnetostriction of Co-Fe coatings are compared. The dependence of coercivity on Co-Ni alloy composition is explained by assuming simultaneous action of several structure parameters. A possible influence of interparticle separation along the grain boundaries on the magnetic properties of electrodeposited films is briefly considered. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.