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Title: Cu clustering and Si partitioning in the early crystallization stage of an Fe{sub 73.5}Si{sub 13.5}B{sub 9}Nb{sub 3}Cu{sub 1} amorphous alloy

Journal Article · · Acta Materialia
; ; ;  [1]
  1. National Research Inst. for Metals, Sengen, Tsukuba (Japan)

Solute clustering and partitioning behavior in the early crystallization stage of an Fe{sub 73.5}Si{sub 13.5}B{sub 9}Nb{sub 3}Cu{sub 1} amorphous alloy have been studied by employing a three-dimensional atom probe (3DAP) and a high resolution electron microscope (HREM). Results from the 3DAP have clearly shown that Cu atom clusters are present in the amorphous state after annealing below the crystallization temperature. The density of these clusters is in the order of 10{sup 24}/m{sup 3}, which is comparable to that of the {alpha}-Fe grains in the optimum nanocrystalline microstructure. In the early stage of primary crystallization, Cu clusters are in direct contact with the {alpha}-Fe nanocrystals, suggesting that the {alpha}-Fe primary particles are heterogeneously nucleated at the site of Cu clusters. In the early stage of crystallization, the concentration of Si is lower in the primary crystal than in the amorphous matrix phase, unlike in the late stage of the primary crystallization, where Si partitions into the {alpha}-Fe phase with a composition of approximately 20 at.%.

OSTI ID:
329088
Journal Information:
Acta Materialia, Vol. 47, Issue 3; Other Information: PBD: 5 Feb 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English