Observation of a Precursor during the Crystallization of Amorphous NiZr2

In situ studies of the isothermal crystallization of an amorphous alloy (Ni${\mathrm{Zr}}_2$) have been performed using time-resolved x-ray diffraction, with a time resolution as short as 3 ms. In the temperature range studied (628-680 K), a transient structural precursor is present during the crystallization. The maximum volume fraction reached by this precursor during crystallization increases with the rate of crystallization.