STABILITY OF AMORPHOUS NI-CE-P ALLOY

The thermal stability of amorphous Ni-Ce-P alloy and its activation en ergy of crystallization during heating were tested by differential sca nning calorimetry. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were also used to follow the structural changes in the amorphous sampl e during heat treatment. Addition of a small amount of the rare earth metal element Ce to amorphous Ni-P alloy considerably enhanced its sta bility. Since the activation energy of crystallization of amorphous Ni -Ce-P alloy is greater than that of Ni-P, crystallization of the forme r is more difficult, and Ni-Ce-P is more stable on heat treatment.