Rapid nanocrystallization of soft-magnetic amorphous alloys using microwave induction heating

 The crystallization of Fe73Nb3Cu1Si16B7 alloy during microwave heating was investigated in situ using synchrotron radiation powder diffraction. The phase transformation comprises a primary nanocrystallization stage and a final microcrystallization step. We provide evidence for a strong enhancement of the transformation kinetics. Microwave heating occurs as a result of both ohmic and magnetic losses induced by eddy currents, which defines a volumetric microwave induction heating process. Nanocrystallization is completed within 5 s, while full crystallization is achieved in less than 10 s.