Nanoquasicrystalline phase produced by devitrification of Hf-Pd-Ni-Al metallic glass

Structure changes in the Hf-Al-Ni-Pd metallic glass on heating have been st udied by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and different ial scanning calorimetry. It has been found that the first stage of the dev itrification process is related to the precipitation of fine particles of a n icosahedral phase from about 5 to 15 nm in size. A direct evidence of the formation of the icosahedral phase has been done using nanobeam diffractio n in transmission electron microscope. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physi cs. [S0003-6951(00)01523-0].