MICROSTRUCTURE STUDIES OF ZR41TI14CU12.5NI10BE22.5 BULK AMORPHOUS ALLOY BY ELECTRON-DIFFRACTION INTENSITY ANALYSIS

Reduced density function analyses for the bulk amorphous alloy Zr41Ti1 4Cu12.5N10Be22.5 and its decomposition and crystallization have been m ade by means of electron diffraction intensity measurement with imagin g plate. The local atomic structure of the amorphous alloy as well as its development in the course of the decomposition and crystallization is described from the analysis of the atomic distribution function. T he origin of the high thermal stability and the large glass forming ab ility of the alloy as well as the effect of the decomposition on the c rystallization is discussed from the viewpoint of the local atomic str ucture characteristics of the alloy. (C) 1997 American Institute of Ph ysics.