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In the present work, the glass formation of Fe50-xCr15Mo14C15B6Mx (x = 0,2 and
M = Y,Gd) alloys has been investigated. Wedge shaped bulk samples, with
thickness from 2 mm up to 5 mm, were prepared by copper mold casting
technique. Ribbons of the same compositions, with 30 μm in thickness, were
produced by melt-spinning technique. Thermal and structural properties were
measured using High Temperature Differential Scanning Calorimetry and X-ray
diffraction, respectively. The microstructure has been observed by Scanning
Electron Microscopy and chemical composition was checked by Energy
Dispersion Spectroscopy. In the case of ribbons, fully amorphous phase was
observed for all compositions. Copper mold casting technique leads to a fully
amorphous structure for bulk samples up to 2 mm only for composition
containing Y or Gd. Such elements can act as oxygen scavengers, avoiding
heterogeneous nucleation. The role of Y and Gd on glass formation is also
discussed on the basis of the melting behavior.