We have studied the effects of surface crystallization on the magnetic properties ofFe80B20amorphous alloys. The surface magnetic properties have been studied with magneto-optic Kerr measurements, while those of bulk with a vibrating sample magnetometer. This study reveals that surface crystallization is similar to the bulk process but occurs at a lower temperature. At variance with previous results on other iron-based amorphous alloys the surface crystalline layer does not induce bulk magnetic hardening. Furthermore, both the remanence to saturation ratio and the bulk magnetic anisotropy do not show appreciable variations after the formation of the surface crystalline layer. The Curie temperature of the surface layer is lower with respect to the bulk of the sample. These effects can be explained by a lower boron concentration in the surface region of the as-cast amorphous alloy. Measurements of the chemical composition confirm a reduction of boron concentration in the surface region. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.