Local atomic structures of amorphous Fe80B20 and Fe70Nb10B20 alloys studied by electron diffraction

Effect of Nb addition on the stabilization of amorphous Fe80B20 alloy was Studied by electron diffraction structure analysis with the help of computer simulation. Atomic structure models with dense-random-packing 5000 atoms were constructed to reproduce interference functions obtained experimentally for the amorphous Fe80B20 and Fe70Nb10B20 alloys. In the Structure models so obtained, prism-type local atomic arrangements dominated around B atoms in both the alloys, while deformed-bcc and icosahedral-like clusters were frequently found around Fe atoms. The icosahedral-like clusters and short Fe-Fe bondings were more frequently found in Fe70Nb10B20. The difference of glass forming abilities of these alloys is discussed in relation to the local structural differences.