Development and optimization of novel sulfur-containing Ti-based bulk metallic glasses and the correlation between primarily crystallizing phases, thermal stability and mechanical properties

Abstract

The effect of sulfur on the glass forming ability, thermal stability and mechanical properties of the eutectic alloy Ti33.4Zr33.3Cu33.3 was investigated by conventional X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and 3-point flexural experiments. A novel region of bulk glass formation with a critical casting diameter of up to 4 mm was found in the quaternary Ti-Zr-Cu-S system, however, brittle fracture behavior was predominant. Various alloying strategies were employed to improve mechanical properties and a compositional transition from brittle to ductile fracture has been identified (e.g. for Ti36Zr33.5Cu24.5S6). A change of the primary precipitating phases from a C14 Laves to an intermetallic (Ti,Zr)2Cu phase can be observed, as well as a stabilization of the supercooled liquid. The origin of the thermally unstable behavior in Ti-based bulk metallic glasses is traced back to the easy formation of the icosahedral phase upon heating, which is structurally close to the supposedly predominant icosahedral short-range order in the amorphous state. The systematic study carried out in this work indicates a strong correlation between primary crystallizing phase and thermal stability, both pointing to the frozen short-range order in the amorphous state which is predetermining the mechanical properties. The transition from the Laves to the intermetallic (Ti,Zr)2Cu phase as well as the enlarged supercooled liquid region appear to be directly related to a destabilization of the icosahedral short-range order and ultimately to the improved mechanical properties.