Formation and thermal stability of new Zr–Cu-based bulk glassy alloys with unusual glass-forming ability

Abstract

The simultaneous addition of Al and Ag to Zr–Cu binary alloys increased in the stabilization of supercooled liquid, the reduced glass transition temperature and γ value, leading to greatly enhance the glass-forming ability (GFA). The Zr–Cu–Ag–Al glassy alloy samples with diameters above 15 mm were obtained in the wide composition range of 42–50 at% Zr, 32–42 at% Cu, 5–10 at% Ag, and 5–12 at% Al. The best GFA was obtained for Zr 48Cu 36Ag 8Al 8 alloy, and the glassy samples with diameters up to 25 mm were fabricated by an injection copper mold casting. The Zr 48Cu 36Ag 8Al 8 glassy alloy exhibited high tensile and compressive fracture strength of over 1800 MPa.