Structural transformations of Fe81B13Si4C2 amorphous alloy induced by heating

Thermal stability and crystallization of the Fe81B12Si4C2 alloy were investigated in the temperature range 25–700°C by the XRD and Mössbauer analysis. It was shown that on heating the as-prepared amorphous Fe81B12Si4C2 alloy undergoes thermal stabilization through a series of structural transformations involving the process of stress-relieving (temperature range 200–400°C), followed by a loss of ferromagnetic properties (Curie temperature at 420°C) and finally crystallization (temperature range 450–530°C). The process of crystallization begins by formation of two crystal phases: Fe3B and subsequently Fe2B, as well as a solid solution α-Fe(Si). With increase in annealing temperature, the completely crystallized alloy involved only two phases, Fe2B and solid solution α-Fe(Si).