Anomalous X-ray scattering study of amorphous Fe70M10B20 (M = Zr, Nb, and Cr) alloys

Atomic structures in the amorphous Fe70M10B20 (M = Zr, M,and Cr) alloys wit h different DeltaT(x) values were studied by the anomalous X-ray scattering method. Their basic structural features resemble each other except a shape of a triangular prism as a local structural unit. The prism is slightly di storted in the amorphous Fe70M10B20 (M = Zr and Nb) alloys because a part o f Fe atoms at the vertices are replaced by the M elements. The larger the s ize difference between M and Fe is, the larger the dr, value becomes. This tendency and the observations of the crystallization process by the differe ntial scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction measurements indicate us a close relationship between thermal stability of the amorphous state and th e shape of the prism in the amorphous Fe70M10B20 alloy.