Effect of B on the preparation and structure of nanocrystalline Fe–B alloys

Abstract Nanocrystalline Fe–B binary alloys with grain sizes between 30 and 80 nm have been prepared by annealing amorphous ribbons. The rapid heating and cooling rates are crucial factors for the formation of ultrafine grains. The effect of B on the thermal expansion behavior suggests that the structural instability of amorphous Invar alloys can enhance the formation tendency of annealing-induced nanocrystalline structure.