Microstructural evolution and amorphous phase formation of Fe42Ni28Zr8Ta2B10C10 alloy produced by mechanical alloying

In this study, the microstructural evolution and amorphous phase formation of Fe42Ni28Zr8Ta2B10C10 alloy produced by mechanical alloying (MA) were investigated. This alloy is a soft magnetic material with better magnetic properties in its amorphous condition. Effects of milling time on the phase transformation, microstructure, morphological evolution and thermal behavior were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results showed that at the early stage of milling, the powder contained a nanocrystalline α-Fe solid solution. Further milling decreased the crystallite size of this phase and finally the amorphous phase was produced. The amount of the amorphous phase was calculated using Rietveld methods and W powder as the internal standard and the results showed that the quantity of this phase reached about 95% after 154 h of milling

.Fe42Ni28Zr8Ta2B10C10 alloy produced by mechanical alloying. At the early stage of milling, the powder contained a nanocrystalline α-Fe solid solution. Further milling decreased the crystallite size of this phase. After 30 minutes of milling the particles were not uniform and looked flaky. Milling for 154 hours produced smaller powder particles which are not clogged and are uniform in size.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Microstructure and amorphous phase formation of Fe42Ni28Zr8Ta2B10C10 were studied.
► The smallest crystallite size was found to be about 2.1 nm.
► No enormous changes in microstructure of the alloy occurred after 110 h of milling.
► The main changes in the morphology occurred between 66 and 110 h of milling.
► DSC results were used to determine the Tg of the alloy.