Transmission electron microscopy study of crystallization in Fe-Si-B-Cr-C amorphous alloy

The crystallization behaviour of Fe72Si9.1B14.8Cr2.2C1.9 alloy was studied. Three forms of the examined alloy were studied: water-atomized powder, as-spun ribbon and fully crystallized ribbon. Transmission electron microscopy studies of the examined alloy in the form of powder revealed partial crystallization of Fe2B. The as-spun ribbon was found to be fully amorphous, and no evidence of any crystalline phases was detected. Formation of metastable phases in the fully devitrificated ribbon was observed. The examined alloy, heated to above its crystallization temperature, consisted of alpha-Fe-3(Si), Fe-23(C,B)(6), Fe3B and Fe2B crystalline phases.