A new method for synthesizing nanocrystalline alloys

Abstract

A new method to prepare nanocrystalline alloys was developed by means of crystallization from amorphous alloys. By using this method, a Ni-P alloy with 9 nm crystallites was synthesized. The structures and grain sizes of the alloy were examined by means of x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and high resolution electron microscopy. Specific heat capacity and thermal expansion coefficient of the nanocrystalline Ni-P alloy prepared by this method were found to be greater than those of the coarse-grained crystalline alloy by 12.3% and 56.2%, respectively. A new micromechanism for nanometer-sized crystallites formation is discussed.