Glass-forming range and glass thermal stability in binary 3d TM–C systems

Abstract A survey of investigations concerning 3d TM 1− x C x films obtained in a large atomic carbon content x in several binary TM–C systems is presented. Sputtering was chosen as means of elaboration and electron probe microanalysis was used to determine the composition of the films. Their structural states were analyzed by X-ray and transmission electron microscopy. The glass-forming range and the glass thermal stability are described and compared. Adding carbon to the structure of TM-based films for Cr, Mn, Fe and Co causes a fully amorphization coming from the destabilization of the solid solution and extended in a large x range whereas for V and Ni, only a partly amorphization is detected in a narrow x range shifted towards higher x values. The thermal stability of the fully or partly amorphous films increases when TM moves from Ni to V. The role of the carbon–metal interaction is highlighted.