In-situ structural identification of Zr3Al2 type metastable phase during crystallization of a Zr-based MG

A metastable phase was detected using higher energy synchrotron radiation when Zr-based metallic glass (MG) was annealed under vacuum in Linkam hot stage at 848 K. The formation and transformation processes of metastable phase were recorded by synchrotron radiation method. The metastable phase during crystallization was identified as Zr3Al2 structure type according to powder diffraction and TEM analysis. The structure of Zr3Al2 type MCP was experimentally evidenced by 3D diffraction patterns and mathematically described. The identification of Zr3Al2 MCP could be helpful for the understanding of cluster structure of MG.