Temperature dependence in density-fluctuation-induced crystallization in metallic glass by MeV electron irradiation

MeV electron irradiation can introduce Frenkel pairs, i.e., a vacancy-interstitial pair, in crystals. In metallic glass, density fluctuation, namely, a pair of free volume and anti-free volume, is introduced, resulting in the devitrification of the amorphous phase in some metallic glasses. In this study, we investigated the temperature dependence of MeV-irradiation-induced crystallization of metallic glasses. Phase selection in crystallization shows a significant temperature dependence in various metallic glasses at and under 298 K. The size of the crystalline precipitates changes with irradiation temperature in some metallic glasses.