The Fe83B17 metallic glass ribbons were prepared by a single roller melt-spinning technique in an atmosphere of helium. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Differential scanning calodmetry (DSC), were used to investigate the structural and thermal transformations of the Fe83B17 metallic glass. The activation energy of crystallization E-c was evaluated using different theoretical models. Applying the modified Johnson-Mehi-Avrami (JMA) equation reasonably suggests that the Fe83B17 crystallization process is carried out by a bulk growth in two dimensions. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.