Microstructure of composite material with powders of barium ferrite

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the present work is the microstructure characterization of commercial powder BaFe12O19 (as-prepared) and composite material with BaFe12O19 powders and polymer matrix, using XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) methods. Design/methodology/approach: The morphology of barium ferrite powders and a fracture surface of the examined composite material was realized by using the scanning electron microscope. The methods of Xray diffraction were used for the qualitative phase analysis. The parameters of diffraction line profiles were determined by PRO-FIT Toraya procedure. Findings: The X-ray diffraction analysis permitted on identification the BaFe12O19 and Fe2O3 phases in an examined material. Basing on Toraya method is determination of: lattice parameters, crystallite size (D) and the lattice distortion (<Δa/a>). Distribution of powders of barium ferrite in polymer matrix is irregular and powder particles have irregular shapes and dimensions. Research limitations/implications: For future research the X-ray analysis should be performed by the Rietveld method, which allows to characterization the microstructure of tested material and verification of its qualitative phase composition. Originality/value: The applied Toraya method of structure analysis appeared to be very useful in the microstructure analysis.