Abstract
An alloy having composition Fe73Si13B9Nb4Cu1 was synthesized by melt spinning to investigate the kinetics of crystallization. Techniques of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Mossbauer spectroscopy were employed to characterize the phases produced due, to annealing at various temperatures. High temperature DSC revealed two stage crystallization reactions. First stage, crystallization occurs at temperature around 514 degrees C with the production of alpha-Fe (bcc) and Fe3Si phases. In the second stage, Fe2B and alpha-Fe (Si,Nb) phases were produced. Mossbauer results revealed the formation of Fe3Si, Fe13Si3 and Fe7Si1 in the first stage and Fe3Si, Fe13Si3, Fe2B and alpha-Fe (Si,Nb) phases in the second stage of crystallization. An abrupt change in average internal magnetic field was observed at 500 degrees C. The maximum hardness value was found for the sample heat-treated at 500 degrees C.