CRYSTALLIZATION OF FE-B-SI METALLIC-GLASS DURING BALL-MILLING

We corroborated the results of Trudeau et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 64, 99 (1990)] showing that an Fe-B-Si metallic glass undergoes crystallizat ion during milling in a Spexball mill. We find, however, that after mi lling the partially-crystallized powders could not be fully reverted t o a metallic glass by piston-anvil quenching from the liquid state. We measured significant iron contamination in the as-milled powders, and particles of alpha-Fe could induce crystallization in iron-rich regio ns in their vicinty. Our results do not support the concept of a mecha nically-driven crystallization.