Abstract This paper describes results obtained by spray forming three iron-based alloys, namely [(Fe0.6Co0.4)0.75B0.2Si0.05]96Nb4, Fe65B30Nb4Ti1 and Fe63B29Nb4Ti4, whose compositions derive from rapid solidification studies, in an attempt to obtain metallic glasses. The [(Fe0.6Co0.4)0.75B0.2Si0.05]96Nb4 alloy presented higher glass-forming ability and showed a high fraction of amorphous phase formation up to a depth of 4 mm in the deposit. On the other hand, the spray formed deposits of the Fe65B30Nb4Ti1 and Fe63B29Nb4Ti4 alloys showed fully crystalline microstructure, despite the fact that the melt spun ribbons were fully amorphous.