X-RAY-DIFFRACTION STUDY OF CRYSTALLIZATION OF THE AMORPHOUS FE73.5CU1NB3SI13.5B9 ALLOY

Crystallization of the amorphous Fe73.5Cu1Nb3Si13.5B9 alloy was studied by X-ray diffraction. A two crystallization process was observed with the first crystallization at about 753-793 K and the second at about 903-973 K. After the first crystallization step, the sample consists of ultrafine crystalline particles of DO3-FeSi alloy with a grain size of about 12 nm and an amorphous phase probably enriched with B, Nb, and Cu. With increasing annealing temperature, the grain size of the DO3-FeSi alloy increases and the amount of the crystalline phase increases at the expense of the residual amorphous phase. Above the temperature of the second crystallization, the sample was composed of three crystalline phases: DO3-FeSi alloy, Fe23B6 compound, and presumably FeNbB alloy.