An anelastic spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction study of the crystallization process of Mg-Ni-Fe alloys

The effects of heating-induced crystallization on the structural and mechanical properties of Mg-Ni-Fe amorphous ribbons were studied by anelastic spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction. DSC results show that the crystallization occurs through several non-reversible steps, which correspond to significant changes in the Young's modulus and concomitant irreversible elastic energy loss peaks. Moreover, an anelastic peak is found at 215 K, which for the first time indicates the presence of some dynamical process related to the simultaneous presence of different phases. The formation of a metastable Mg6Ni phase is detected, which transforms into Mg and Mg2Ni stable phases. A quantitative analysis of the different phases present at the different steps was also carried out.