Formation of Fe-Nb-X (X=Zr, Ti) amorphous alloys from pure metal elements by mechanical alloying

Fe-based amorphous powders of Fe₅₆Nb₆Zr₃₈ and Fe₆₀Nb₆Ti₃₄ based on binary eutectic were prepared by mechanical alloying starting from mixtures of pure metal powders. The amorphization behavior and thermal stability were examined by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Results show that Fe₅₆Nb₆Zr₃₈ alloy has a better glass forming ability and a relatively lower thermal stability comparing with Fe₆₀Nb₆Ti₃₄ alloy. The prepared amorphous powders have homogeneous element distribution and no obvious contaminants coming from mechanical alloying. The synthesized amorphous powders offer the potential for consolidation to full density with desirable mechanical properties through the powder metallurgy methods.