Kinetics of crystallisation of Zr₂₀Ti₂₀Cu₆₀ amorphous alloy using modulated differential scanning calorimetry

Abstract

Ti-Cu-Zr system forms glasses in a wide composition range and also shows a large undercooling. This makes them suitable candidates for bulk glass formation using copper mould casting. In the present work, the kinetics of crystallisation of Zr₂₀Ti₂₀Cu₆₀ amorphous alloy has been investigated from room temperature to 773 K by DSC. A recently developed technique namely modulated DSC (MDSC) has been utilised to resolve the two crystallisation events. Analysis of the kinetics of the crystallisation has been performed both by Matusita & Sakka and modified Kissinger methods. Surface nucleation has been observed. The Kissinger method is known to be independent of the order of the reaction. The activation energy values derived out of the Matusita & Sakka methods are also found to be heating rate independent.