Structure of amorphous Fe80-P13-C7 alloy by X-ray diffraction

Abstract

X-ray diffraction patterns have been obtained from Fe80-P13-C7 alloy in both amorphous and liquid states. Using the common Fourier analysis, the atomic radial distribution function was evaluated from which interatomic distance and coordination number were obtained. The essential feature of the structure in the amorphous state was similar to that in the liquid state. The crystallization process of this alloy during isothermal aging at 330°C was also studied by the same procedures. The results indicated that the initial amorphous structure changes to a second amorphous structure, which in turn, transforms to the stable crystalline phase. This crystallization product was single phase of bcc structure (a0=2.864 A). By means of the Fourier analysis, these results led to the conclusion that the initial amorphous structure re-arranges to relax the stress or anisotropic configuration of atoms arising from the rapid quenching and subsequently the crystallization of this alloy occurs by a nucleation and growth mechanism during isothermal aging.