Influence of alloying elements on the glass-forming ability of CoFeNbBSi alloys

The influence of minor amounts of gallium, tin, zirconium, and antimony on the glass-forming ability of CoFeNbBSi metallic alloys is studied. The studies are performed by X-ray diffraction, transmission electronic microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, measuring electric resistivity and magnetic susceptibility in crystalline and liquid states. Gallium and zirconium are shown to improve the glass-forming ability of the alloys whereas tin decreases it. The influence of the additions can be qualitatively described by means of the Curie paramagnetic temperature: if alloying increases it, the glass-forming ability of the alloy also increases.