A structural investigation of amorphous and nanocrystalline Fe86Zr7Cu1B6

Extensive structural studies were performed on different DC Joule-heated Fe86Zr7Cu1B6 ribbons as well as on conventionally heat-treated samples. Optimum properties for the DC Joule-heated samples were obtained for I = 3.3 A and t = 60 whereas for the conventionally heated ribbons the optimum properties were obtained for a treatment at 600 degrees C for 1 h. Grain size distributions of all samples were determined by x-ray powder diffraction analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the optimal DC Joule-heated sample was performed and compared with that of the conventionally heat-treated samples. Both x-ray analysis and TEM showed the known decomposition of the BCC structure into a mixture of alpha-Fe plus Fe2Zr plus Fe3Zr phases. The lattice parameter of the BCC structure was measured and compared among the different heat-treated samples. TEM investigation revealed the existence of zirconium oxide precipitates in all ribbons.