Evaluation of the liquid–solid interfacial energy from crystallization kinetic data

The kinetic data obtained from the analysis of experimental measurements of nanocrystallization in Fe65Nb10B25 metallic glass are used to successfully estimate the molten alloy viscosity, Fe23B6 crystallization driving force and solid–liquid interface energy in the framework of the classical theory of nucleation and growth. We use a Vogel–Fulcher–Tamman law for the viscosity and linear temperature dependence for the crystallization driving force and interfacial energy. A negative temperature coefficient for the crystal–melt interfacial energy is obtained. Both the thermal stability and the glass-forming ability of this alloy are discussed.