On the role of Cu and Nb in the formation of nanocrystals in amorphous Fe[sub 73. 5]Nb[sub 3]Cu[sub 1]Si[sub 13. 5]B[sub 9]

Journal Article · Mon Feb 21 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Applied Physics Letters; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.110923· OSTI ID:5366692

Ayers, J D; Harris, V G; Sprague, J A; Elam, W T ^[1]

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1. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375-5000 (United States)

Extended x-ray absorption fine structure analysis of amorphous and partially crystallized samples of the soft magnetic alloy Fe[sub 73.5]Nb[sub 3]Cu[sub 1]Si[sub 13.5]B[sub 9] reveals that, even before heat treatment, a portion of the Cu is present in the form of tiny, close packed clusters. Analysis of the Nb-free alloy Fe[sub 76.5]Cu[sub 1]Si[sub 13.5]B[sub 9] shows that the Cu clusters are not present in the quenched ribbons, but that fcc Cu precipitates form during heat treatment. Results suggest that the Cu clusters act to catalyze nucleation of Fe-rich nanocrystals, but that these clusters are formed on a finer scale when Nb is added to the alloy, perhaps because it helps to lower the solubility of Cu in the amorphous phase.

• OSTI ID: 5366692
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters; (United States), Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters; (United States) Vol. 64:8; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360102* -- Metals & Alloys-- Structure & Phase Studies
360104 -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
ALLOYS
BORON ADDITIONS
BORON ALLOYS
CATALYSIS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
COPPER ADDITIONS
COPPER ALLOYS
GLASS
HEAT TREATMENTS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
MATERIALS
MICROSTRUCTURE
NIOBIUM ADDITIONS
NIOBIUM ALLOYS
NUCLEATION
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PRECIPITATION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SILICON ADDITIONS
SILICON ALLOYS
SOLID CLUSTERS
SYNTHESIS