The structure and crystallization of amorphous ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{1-x}{\mathrm{B}}_x \mathrm{}(0.12<x<\mathrm{}0.25\mathrm{})\mathrm{}$ alloys have been investigated by Mössbauer spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and magnetization measurements. It was found that the first step in crystallization is the precipitation of $\alpha$-Fe until the composition of the remaining glass reaches ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{75}$${\mathrm{B}}_{25}$. In the second step this remaining glass transforms into the ${\mathrm{Fe}}_3$B intermetallic compound which decomposes at higher temperatures into $\alpha$-Fe and ${\mathrm{Fe}}_2$B. The results support a quasicrystalline model, where the structure of Fe-B glasses is based on a locally distorted off-stoichiometric ${\mathrm{Fe}}_3$B lattice.

• Received 31 July 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.20.476