A method to quantify crystallinity in amorphous metal alloys: A differential scanning calorimetry study

PLoS One. 2020 Jun 22;15(6):e0234774. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234774. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

We developed and describe a differential scanning calorimetry method for calculating the initial crystallinity, change of crystallinity and crystallinity percentage of amorphous metal alloys as a function of temperature. Using thermodynamic enthalpies of amorphous, crystalline and partially devitrified specimens, our methodology is capable of determining crystallinity percentages as low as a few percent. Moreover, the linear relationship between the set (pre-determined) and calculated crystallinities of experimental samples indicates that there is no need to prepare calibration samples before measuring the crystallinity percentage of target samples. This technique also eliminates the need for expensive in situ accessories, such as those required in electron microscopy. Thus, the technique is highly relevant as a primary technique for characterization of devitrification behavior in amorphous materials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alloys / chemistry*
  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Alloys

Grants and funding

This work was funded by project HDTRA1-11-1-0067 from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (https://www.dtra.mil/) awarded to OAG. TA Instruments, Inc. provided technical support. The funders had no other role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.