FORMATION OF A NANOCRYSTALLINE PHASE IN NI-P-NB AMORPHOUS-ALLOYS

The kinetics and mechanism of formation of nanocrystalline phase by he at treatment have been studied in amorphous Ni-P and Ni-P-Nb systems w ith low Nb-content by resistometry, transmision electron microscopy, e lectron and X-ray diffraction. In Ni-P alloys no orientation relations hip between the forming nanocrystalline Ni3P and gamma-Ni has been obs erved. The addition of niobium into Ni-P system results in the refinem ent of the nanocrystalline phase, which, however, is less stable and e xhibits a tendency to precrystalization. In systems with 10 at.% Nb-co ntent a major change of the crystallization kinetics is observed and p hases containing Nb-P and Ni-P are formed.