Characterization of Glass Forming Alloy Fe_43.2Co_28.8B_19.2Si_4.8Nb₄ Processed by Spray Forming and Wedge Mold Casting Techniques

Bulk glassy alloys based on the Fe-Co-B-Si-Nb system have already achieved high levels of mechanical strength. The present work investigated the microstructural evolution of Fe_43.2Co_28.8B_19.2Si_4.8Nb₄ alloy during the spray forming and wedge mold casting processes, with emphasis on the formation of amorphous phase. The microstructure was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The region outer the spray deposit showed the formation of an amorphous structure with a thickness of ~2.5 mm, while that of the wedge-shaped sample exhibited a thickness of up to ~1.5 mm, suggesting that both processes show a promising potential for the production of bulk glass alloys.