Crystallization of Fe-Si-B metallic glasses studied by X-ray synchrotron radiation

We have studied the crystallization kinetics of Fe_90-xSi_xB₁₀ amorphous alloys with x ranging from 7 to 21, by synchrotron X-ray radiation. Using energy- dispersive X-ray diffraction, the kinetics of the different crystalline phases evolving during isothermal annealing were followed. These crystalline phases were identified as precipitation of α-Fe(Si) and/or Fe₃Si in the amorphous matrix. At a later time or at a higher temperature, Fe₂B starts to crystallize (x < 21 ). Only at low iron concentration (x = 21) was the second phase different, namely Fe₅SiB₂ The hypo- and hyper-eutectic Fe-Si-B glasses were found to crystallize differently. The crystallization processes are discussed in some detail.