Microstructures of Glassy and Metastable Crystalline Phases Formed From FE-C- Ternary Alloys

Abstract

ABSTRACTFe-C-base alloys were rapidly cooled from the liquid and then reheated from ambient temperature. In addition to the transitional elements (V,Cr,Mo,W), B was added as third element to substitute C. A systematic approach to the understanding of phases and microstructures, which form under these conditions is the purpose of this work. This includes the considerations of forming ability and thermal stability of metallic glasses. Three aspects require attention: a) absolute stability of the glass phase, b) relative stability i.e. the difference of Free Energy between the amorphous and particular crystalline phases, c) kinetic stability based on the rate and mechanisms of crystallization reactionsincluding the rate determing diffusion process. Light and electron microscopy and electron diffraction were used for the analysis of the structure of the alloys.