Crystallization kinetics of an amorphous Zr–Cu–Ni alloy: calculation of the activation energy

Abstract

The activation energies of amorphous Zr–Cu–Ni alloy under continuous heating conditions have been calculated using different methods based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data. The activation energy for crystallization of amorphous Zr 70Cu 20Ni 10 alloy are determined as 313, 411, 293, 253 and 286 kJ/mol by means of the Kissinger, Ozawa, Cheng, Gao and Wang and Matusita equations, respectively. However, under isothermal crystallization the average value of activation energy of amorphous Zr 70Cu 20Ni 10 alloy is 355 kJ/mol. As for the amorphous Zr 70Cu 20Ni 10 alloy, the Ozawa equation gives the largest value of activation energy and the Gao and Wang equation shows the smallest one. The difference in the activation energy for crystallization of an amorphous alloy may be attributed to the different approximations in these models.