Crystallization behavior, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of an amorphous Fe76.5P13.6Si4.8Mn2.4V0.2C2.5 alloy

Abstract

We have studied the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of an amorphous Fe_76.5P_13.6Si_4.8Mn_2.4V_0.2C_2.5 alloy and their response to nanocrystallization as a result of brief lamp processing and heat treatment. The results demonstrate that the lamp processing time needed to obtain a given phase composition through partial crystallization of the amorphous alloy is two orders of magnitude shorter than the corresponding heat treatment time. We have found lamp processing conditions that ensure the formation of an amorphous–nanocrystalline composite with a twofold increase in hardness, without loss of plasticity. It has been shown that, with increasing loading rate during nanoindentation, the hardness of the alloy decreases because of the increase in plasticity, which shows up as the formation of a larger number of shear bands. Under uniaxial tension, the material exhibits microplasticity, which may be due to intercluster sliding, with the amorphous structure retained. The corrosion resistance of the as-prepared amorphous alloy in a medium contaminated with sulfur dioxide exceeds that of the partially crystallized alloys.