Viscosity and surface tension of the Zr56.5Ti13.3Ni13.6Cu9.6S7 bulk metallic glass-forming liquid

Abstract

The viscosity of the Zr56.5Ti13.3Ni13.6Cu9.6S7 bulk glass forming alloy was measured in equilibrium liquid at low and high temperatures. Low temperature measurements were conducted in the vicinity of the glass transition using a thermomechanical analyzer, covering a viscosity range between 109 and 1014 Pa s. The high-temperature experiments were carried out by electromagnetic levitation of a spherical droplet in microgravity during a parabolic flight campaign (TEMPUS), ranging in viscosity from 50 to 800 mPa s. The viscosities were individually modeled using the Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann equation to obtain the fragility parameter D*, which displays a strong liquid behavior of 25.8 and 19.6 for the low and high temperature region, respectively. The Mauro–Yue–Ellison–Gupta–Allan viscosity model was additionally applied, revealing an even more accurate description across the whole temperature range. Next to viscosity, TEMPUS measurements allow the determination of surface tension. With a value of 0.9 N m−1, it is significantly lower than that of other Zr-based metallic glasses without the element sulfur.