Crystallization kinetics of amorphous nanostructured Pd40.5Ni40.5P19 alloys

When a homogeneous amorphous Pd40.5Ni40.5P19 alloy was subjected to thermal annealing for 30 min at various temperatures, novel microstructures were observed. At an annealing temperature of 603 K, phase separation of the amorphous phase dominated. At 628 K, a precipitation reaction proceeded first. After its completion, a eutectic growth set in. At 638 K, metastable spinodal decomposition occurred first, followed by a eutectic growth. Finally at 673 K, crystal growth of crystalline spinodal network was fast enough to compete with a eutectic growth.