X-ray diffraction study of the crystallization of amorphous FeBSiCuNb alloys

The short-range structure of annealed amorphous Fe-B-Si-Cu Nb alloys is investigated by means of X-ray diffraction. At temperatures higher than 450-degrees-C b.c.c. Fe(Si) is formed in an amorphous matrix. The crystallization is accompanied by a change of the local symmetry of Fe atom environment. The short-range order of the formed crystalline Fe(Si) phase is not realized in the amorphous as-quenched state. Due to the precipitation of iron and silicon during crystallization the chemical composition and the short-range order of the amorphous matrix are changed.