Phase transformations of electroplated amorphous iron–tungsten–carbon film

Amorphous iron–tungsten–carbon film Fe79W21Cx is prepared by direct current electroplating. Annealing in hydrogen atmosphere at temperature higher than 400 °C results in the crystallization of the film. Diffraction experiments identify the crystals of α-Fe, Fe2W and Fe6W6C. Differential thermal analysis indicates two crystallization temperatures at about 350 and 620 °C. Electron diffraction shows that α-Fe crystallites appear after annealing at 400 °C, Fe2W at 700 °C and Fe6W6C at 800 °C.