Formation of nanophases by crystallization of amorphous alloys

A comparison is made of crystallization mechanisms in Fe-based amorphous alloys (Fe73.5Cu1Nb3Si13.5B9, Fe90Zr7B3), which lead to a nanocrystalline bcc phase with peculiar soft magnetic properties through primary crystallization. In all samples, the nucleation takes place uniformely throughout the material. The presence of atoms with low diffusivity (Zr, Nb) reduces the grain growth rate so that a small size of crystals is maintained. On the contrary, even extremely fast heating and short heat treatment do not produce nanocrystals in Fe40Ni40B20 although the crystallization mechanism is modified. However milling the ribbon leads to nanostructured crystalline phases. The formation of nanophases by crystallization is discussed considering the temperature dependence of nucleation frequency and growth rate. The effects of various thermodynamic and kinetic parameters are analyzed and the most favourable conditions for nanocrystallization are outlined.