Structure and peculiarities of nanodeformation in Ti–Zr–Ni quasi-crystals

Abstract

Ti–Zr–Ni samples with a substantial predominance of icosahedral quasicrystalline phase were produced by the melt-spinning technique. Their structure and mechanical properties were studied by X-ray diffraction and nanoindentation methods. The quasicrystalline phase was found to have a primitive lattice with the quasicrystallinity parameter a q = 0.5200–0.5210 nm. Quasicrystalline deformation behaviour under nanoindentation versus phase composition and structure is discussed in comparison with single crystal W–12 wt% Ta. The estimated elastic modulus E of the quasicrystalline phase shows no correlation with the element composition. The nanohardness was shown to increase with increasing quasicrystalline-phase perfection. Load–displacement curves of Ti–Zr–Ni quasicrystals (QCs) show stepwise character with alternation of elastic and plastic sections. Such non-uniform plastic flow in QCs might be caused by the localization of plastic deformation in shear bands. The non-uniformity of the plastic deformation increases with the increasing quasicrystalline phase perfection.