Magnetic and electromagnetic properties of Fe/Fe2–3N composites prepared by high-energy ball milling

Abstract In this study, high-energy ball milling processes were adopted to prepare Fe/Fe2–3N composites. The phase composition and microstructure of the composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The composites were nanostructured by high-energy ball milling containing lots of interfaces, grain boundaries and defects in its particle. The magnetic property and electromagnetic parameters were identified by vibration sample magnetometer and vector network analyzer. The saturation magnetization value is 174.65 emu/g. The electromagnetic absorption performance was simulated by transmission line theory. The composites have effective electromagnetic wave absorption over the whole Ku band (12.4–18 GHz). The optimal reflection loss value reached −32.4 dB at 12.4 GHz. The mechanisms of the composites absorbing electromagnetic wave had been discussed.