Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
Al-Sm and Al-Y-Fe alloys with a high number density of nanocrystalline fcc-Al homogeneously dispersed within the amorphous matrix have been synthesized by devitrifying the precursor metallic glasses produced by rapid solidification. The kinetics of metallic glass formation and the development of the nanostructure during devitrification are discussed in terms of the rate limiting mechanism. The glass transition temperature of the two metallic glasses has been successfully assessed with the application of the modulated-temperature differential scanning calorimetry (DDSC). In addition, the formation of quenched-in nuclei was investigated by a comparison study on the cold-rolled and melt-spun Al92Sm8 amorphous samples. Furthermore, the enhancement of the particle density of the fcc-Al nanocrystals in the amorphous matrix after devitrification has been demonstrated by the incorporation of nanosize Pb particles.