Crystallization of amorphous Fe sub 78 Si sub 9 B sub 13 alloy

Crystallization kinetics of the amorphous Fe sub 78 Si sub 9 B sub 13 alloy has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry in both continuous heating and istohermal annealing modes. The morphology and the growth of different phases during the devitrification process have been studied by transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. The crystallization of this glass proceeds in two separate stages which can be observed during continuous heating and during isothermal annealing. It is shown that the lack of complete information about the preparation conditions of the amorphous precursor makes impossible to foresee the stability of the amorphous phase, and phase content, the morphology and the dimensions of the grains during the crystallization process and to compare the results obtained in different investigations.