Ultrafine nanostructure of partially crystallized bulk amorphous Zr54.5Ti7.5Al10Cu20Ni8

Bulk amorphous Zr54.5Ti7.5Al10Cu20Ni8 was investigated by means of small‐angle neutron scattering and high‐resolution electron microscopy. Partially crystallized states were generated by annealing. The scattering data were analyzed in terms of a model taking into account both properties of the particles and interparticle interference. The mean radius of the particles is 1.3 nm. They are surrounded by a depletion zone with mean thickness of 2.6 nm. The volume fraction of the particles is estimated from the interparticle interference effect; its upper limit after annealing at 653 K for 4 h is 12%. Electron microscopy confirms the size determined from the scattering data and shows that the particles are crystalline.