Analysis of the Crystallization Kinetics and Thermal Stability of the Amorphous Mg72Zn24Ca4 Alloy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the crystallization of the Mg72Zn24Ca4 metallic glass alloy. The crystallization process of metallic glass Mg72Zn24Ca4 was investigated by means of the differential scanning calorimetry. The glass-forming ability and crystallization are both strongly dependent on the heating rate. The crystallization kinetics, during the isothermal annealing, were modelled by the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami equation. Avrami exponents were from 2.7 to 3.51, which indicates diffusion-controlled grain growth. Local exponents of the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami equation were also calculated. In addition, the Mg phase—being the isothermal crystallization product—was found, and the diagram of the time–temperature phase transformation was developed. This diagram enables the reading of the start and end times of the crystallization process, occurring in amorphous ribbons of the Mg72Zn24Ca4 alloy on the isothermal annealing temperature. The research showed high stability of the amorphous structure of Mg72Zn24Ca4 alloy at human body temperature.