STABILITY OF AMORPHOUS NI-CE-P ALLOY

The thermal stability of amorphous Ni-Ce-P alloy and its activation energy of crystallization during heating were tested by differential scanning calorimetry. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were also used to follow the structural changes in the amorphous sample during heat treatment. Addition of a small amount of the rare earth metal element Ce to amorphous Ni-P alloy considerably enhanced its stability. Since the activation energy of crystallization of amorphous Ni-Ce-P alloy is greater than that of Ni-P, crystallization of the former is more difficult, and Ni-Ce-P is more stable on heat treatment.