Mg–Cu–Ag–Er bulk metallic glasses with high glass forming ability and compressive strength

Abstract

We study the glass forming ability (GFA) and mechanical properties of the Mg–Cu–Ag–Er bulk metallic glass (BMG) systemically in this paper. A new best glass former Mg 60.5Cu 19.667Ag 9.833Er 10 is pinpointed using systematic strategy in 3D space. The critical glass formation diameter for this alloy has improved significantly from 6 mm to 11 mm. The Mg 63Cu 16.8Ag 11.2Er 9 BMG exhibits yielding and plastic deformation during compressive loading. The fracture strength and plastic strain of Mg 63Cu 16.8Ag 11.2Er 9 BMG is 1098 MPa and 0.5%, respectively. The superior mechanical properties compare with other Mg-based BMGs are attributed to the introduction of Er.