Alnico is a family of alloys containing metals Fe, Co and Ni plus small amount of Al and copper. These alloys are directionally solidified and subsequently given a heat treatment to in a magnetic field that increases the desired properties. The heat treatment at 800 degree centigrade results in a phase separation into two phases at different composition with different amount of magnetisation. The phase with a large magnetisation precipitates as very fine elongated particles embedded in a matrix of the other phase. It is hard to change the direction of the magnetic moments in these fine elongated particles.
APPLICATIONS: Alnico magnets finds applications in loudspeakers, microwave devices, motors, generators, meters, magnetos, separators, communication devices and welding machines.