Crystallization Kinetics and Texture Evolution in Iron-Based Amorphous Alloys under a Magnetic Field

Crystallization kinetics and texture evolution in iron-based amorphous alloys (Fe78Si9B13, Fe73.5Si13.5B9Nb3Cu1) under a magnetic field have been studied. We have found that the application of a magnetic field during crystallization at a temperature ranging the Curie point of the amorphous phase and that of the crystalline bcc-Fe(Si) phase can produce a {110} texture in the alloys. X-ray diffraction with the Schulz method revealed that {110} oriented grains were preferentially nucleated due to the magnetic field. The studies of crystallization kinetics found that the nucleation rate of the α-Fe(Si) phase in amorphous Fe73.5Si13.5B9Nb3Cu1 was enhanced approximately three times as high with the 6T magnetic field than without field. The volume fraction of crystalline α-Fe(Si) phase produced was increased by the magnetic field.