New Gd-Al nanophase obtained by crystallization of Gd4Al3 metallic glass

Crystallization behaviour of Gd4Al3, metallic glass has been studied by X-r ay diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. It has been found tha t the crystallization of Gd4Al3, glass is a two-stage process with the firs t stage occurring at 710 K - 715 K and the second - at approximately 770 K. The product of the first stage in the crystallization of Gd4Al3 glass has been identified as a Gd4Al3 nanophase having a primitive tetragonal (t) lat tice with parameters a = b = 15.4893(8) Angstrom, c = 5.3020(5) Angstrom. N anophase t-Gd4Al3 has been found to decompose into well-known tetragonal Gd 3Al2 and cubic GdAl, which are the products of the second stage in the crys tallization of Gd4Al3 glass. The kinetics of the crystallization of Gd4Al3 glass and the morphology of t-Gd4Al3, nanophase have also been briefly disc ussed. (C) 1999 Acta Metallurgica Inc.