Amorphization and thermal stability of Cu68.5Ni12P19.5 alloy

Three-component Cu68.5Ni12P19.5 alloy was prepared using 99.95wt.% Cu, Cu–P and Ni–P master alloys. The precursors were encapsulated in quartz tubes under vacuum (10−2bar) and melted in a resistance furnace. The microstructure of the alloy was investigated using a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). An analysis of the morphology was carried out and the volume fraction of microstructural constituents in the as-cast state was assessed. The melt spinning was used to produce ribbons from the alloy. The ribbons were then investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry and differential thermal analysis. High-temperature X-ray studies of melt-spun ribbons as a function of temperature were carried in order to characterize the thermal stability of the alloy. The results were discussed and compared with other experimental data.