High-temperature B2 ordering in Fe50Co50 alloy

High-temperature (above 1200 degrees C) B2 ordering was experimentally found in the Fe50Co50 alloy with the help of the electron diffraction. Using the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy method the "ordering-phase separation" transition was shown to lead to changes both in the 3d-electron spectra of the valence band (3d-valence electron localization on Fe atoms increases at phase separation and it decreases at ordering). The investigation of multiplet splitting of the 3s-electron spectra of core-level electrons reveals that magnetic moments on Fe and Co atoms in the Fe50Co50 alloy are larger, when there is the tendency toward ordering, and they are smaller in the case of the tendency toward phase separation. A number of examples are presented, which are indicative of the fact that chemical ordering can influence magnetic ordering by the formation of the respective microstructures and magnetic ordering has no influence on chemical ordering. It can be concluded that the phase transition "ordering-phase separation" takes place both at 730 degrees C and at the temperature somewhat higher that 1200 degrees C. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.