Synthesis and characterization of a novel Y-Fe phase via kinetic neutron diffraction

Kinetic in situ neutron diffraction has been used to study the crystallizat ion of amorphous Y67Fe33 The results show that partial crystallization firs t occurs close to 300 degreesC where the Y phase is formed. The entire samp le crystallizes at 390 degreesC and new Bragg peaks appear, signifying the formation of a novel Y-Fe phase. This new phase coexists with Y to 450 degr eesC when the Bragg peaks associated with this phase rapidly decrease in in tensity and YFe2 also coexisting with Y, emerges as the final crystallizati on product. Rietveld refinement shows that the new phase crystallizes into a hexagonal structure, space group P6(3)/mmc, with a = 12.8893(7) Angstrom, c = 11.7006(9) Angstrom and y = 120 degrees.