Structural and magnetic phase transitions in Fe-Zr-B-Al(-Cu) amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys

Thermo-magnetic studies combined with transmission electron microscopy of Fe Zr B Al and Fe Zr B Cu Al amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys revealed the precipitation of a single BCC α-Fe nanocrystalline phase during the first stage of crystallization and the formation of ntermetallic phases, the growth of α-Fe nanograins and further precipitation of α-Fe nanograins from the residual amorphous phase during the second stage of crystallization. The presence of 1 at% Cu in the second alloy accelerates the precipitation of the single nanocrystalline phase during the first stage of crystallization and facilitates further precipitation of α-Fe nanograins from the residual amorphous phase during the second stage of crystallization