Thermal stability and mechanism of thermally induced crystallization of Fe<inf>73.5</inf>Cu<inf>1</inf>Nb<inf>3</inf>Si<inf>15.5</inf>B<inf>7</inf> amorphous alloy

Abstract

Investigation of thermal stability of the alloy revealed stepwise crystallization process, manifested by two distinct complex exothermic peaks in differential scanning calorimetry curves. Kinetic parameters of individual crystallization steps were found using the Kissinger and Vyazovkin methods. Structural characterization of thermally treated samples showed formation of different iron-based phases including α-Fe(Si), Fe2B, Fe16Nb6Si7 and Fe2Si and some metastable intermediary species. Morphology characterization of the surface and cross-section of the thermally treated samples showed granulated structure composed of several different phases and indicated occurrence of impingement effects during crystal growth. Value of estimated lifetime suggested very high stability against crystallization at room temperature and abrupt decrease of lifetime with temperature increase.