Magnetothermal investigation of crystallization of Ni–P amorphous alloys

A new magnetic phase analysis method is presented and its application to a certain class of amorphous alloys is thoroughly discussed. Special attention is paid to the size of clusters with strong magnetic properties that form the separating phase. This magnetothermal (MT) method reveals the formation or disappearance of a phase with strong magnetic properties, and in certain cases it can give valuable information, even in the temperature range where the sample is paramagnetic. The accuracy and applicability of the MT method are discussed. Combining this method with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the transformations in melt-quenched (MQ) and electrolessly deposited (ED) amorphous Ni–P alloys with hypoeutectic and close to eutectic composition are investigated under the condition of a constant heating rate. Up to four stages of Ni precipitation in the alloys are revealed, depending on the phosphorous content and the method of sample preparation.