Structure and properties of Zr–Ta–Cu–Ni–Al bulk metallic glasses and metallic glass matrix composites

• Published in: Journal of non-crystalline solids Vol. 317; no. 1; pp. 158 - 163
• Main Authors: Ott, R.T., Fan, C., Li, J., Hufnagel, T.C.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-03-2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Deformation and plasticity (including yield, ductility, and superplasticity); Disordered solids; Exact sciences and technology; Glasses; Mechanical and acoustical properties of condensed matter; Mechanical properties of solids; Metals. Metallurgy; Physics; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; 81.05.Kf; 62.20.Fe; M120; C230; M190; C290; 61.43.Dq; 81.20; Ruptures; Electron diffraction; Compressive testing; Crystallization; Glass structure; XRD; Experimental study; Precipitates; Metallic glasses; Transmission electron microscopy; Uniaxial stress; Plasticity; Yield strength; Chemical composition; Microstructure; Zirconium base alloys; Transition element alloys; Elongation (mechanics)
• ISSN: 0022-3093; 1873-4812
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3093(02)01996-8

We have developed a series of alloys which, upon cooling from the melt, form two-phase microstructures consisting of crystalline Ta-rich solid solution particles embedded in a bulk metallic glass matrix. These alloys have the general composition (Zr
70Ni
10Cu
20)
90−
x
Ta
x
Al
10 where 0⩽
x⩽12 (all compositions are in atomic percent). These alloys have mechanical properties consistent with metallic glasses, including high yield strength (∼2 GPa) and large elastic elongation (∼2%). However, they also show much larger plastic strain to failure (up to 16%) in uniaxial compression than monolithic metallic glasses.