In this work the influence of different heat treatments on the crystallizat
ion behaviour of soft magnetic alloys Fe77.5Cu1Nb3Si9.5B9 was investigated
using different techniques. transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electro
n diffraction (ED) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). From TEM and ST
M examination some evidence on nucleation and growth process was obtained.
STM revealed atomic resolution in the nanocrystalline grain boundaries. The
microstructural studies have been correlated with the results obtained by
means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) a
nd thermogravimetry analysis (TGM) measurements. (C) 1999 Acta Metallurgica
Inc.