Synthesis and characterization of a novel Y–Fe phase via kinetic neutron diffraction

Kinetic in situ neutron diffraction has been used to study the crystallization of amorphous Y67Fe33. The results show that partial crystallization first occurs close to 300 ◦C where the Y phase is formed. The entire sample crystallizes at 390 ◦C and new Bragg peaks appear, signifying the formation of a novel Y–Fe phase. This new phase coexists with Y to 450 ◦C when the Bragg peaks associated with this phase rapidly decrease in intensity and YFe2 also coexisting with Y, emerges as the final crystallization product. Rietveld refinement shows that the new phase crystallizes into a hexagonal structure, space group P63/mmc, with a = 12.8893(7) Å, c = 11.7006(9) Å and γ = 120◦. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version; see www.iop.org)