The crystallization kinetics of the quaternary Sb{sub 14.5}As{sub 29.5}Se{sub 53.5}Te{sub 2.5} glassy alloy was studied under non-isothermal conditions. The method was applied to the experimental data obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), using continuous-heating techniques. In addition, two approaches are used to analyze the dependence of glass transition temperature (T{sub g}) on the heating rate ({beta}). One is empirical linear relationship between (T{sub g}) and ln({beta}). The other approach is the use of straight line ln(T{sup 2}{sub g}/{beta}) vs. 1/T{sub g} for evaluation of the activation energy for glass transition. The phases at which the alloy crystallizes after the thermal process have been identified by X-ray diffraction. The diffractogram of the transformed material shows the presence of some crystallites of As, SbTe, AsSb, As{sub 2}Se{sub 3}, Sb{sub 2}Se{sub 3} and AsSe{sub 5}Te{sub 5} in the residual amorphous matrix. (copyright 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)