Synthesis and characterization of a novel Y-Fe phase via kinetic neutron diffraction

Kinetic in situ neutron diffraction has been used to study the crystallization of amorphous Y(67)Fe(33) The results show that partial crystallization first occurs close to 300 degreesC where the Y phase is formed. The entire sample crystallizes at 390 degreesC and new Bragg peaks appear, signifying the formation of a novel Y-Fe phase. This new phase coexists with Y to 450 degreesC when the Bragg peaks associated with this phase rapidly decrease in intensity and YFe(2) also coexisting with Y, emerges as the final crystallization product. Rietveld refinement shows that the new phase crystallizes into a hexagonal structure, space group P6(3)/mmc, with a = 12.8893(7) Angstrom, c = 11.7006(9) Angstrom and y = 120 degrees.