A STRUCTURAL INVESTIGATION OF AMORPHOUS AND NANOCRYSTALLINE FE86ZR7CU1B6

Extensive structural studies were performed on different DC Joule-heat ed Fe86Zr7Cu1B6 ribbons as well as on conventionally heat-treated samp les. Optimum properties for the DC Joule-heated samples were obtained for I = 3.3 A and t = 60 whereas for the conventionally heated ribbons the optimum properties were obtained for a treatment at 600 degrees C for 1 h. Grain size distributions of all samples were determined by x -ray powder diffraction analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (TE M) of the optimal DC Joule-heated sample was performed and compared wi th that of the conventionally heat-treated samples. Both x-ray analysi s and TEM showed the known decomposition of the BCC structure into a m ixture of alpha-Fe plus Fe2Zr plus Fe3Zr phases. The lattice parameter of the BCC structure was measured and compared among the different he at-treated samples. TEM investigation revealed the existence of zircon ium oxide precipitates in all ribbons.