The role of casting temperature in preparation of bulk metallic glasses

Abstract

In the past research on bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) has been concentrated on searching for alloy composition to obtain high glass forming ability. Very few studies are on the effect of processing condition on glass forming ability of BMGs. In this study, we have prepared CuZr-based BMGs at different casting temperatures. Increasing casting temperature increases glass forming ability and decreases the amount of the crystalline phase during BMG solidification. At a high casting temperature 1723 K, fully amorphous sample is obtained at a size of 2 mm in diameter. While under the lower casting temperatures (1523 K and 1323 K), crystalline CuZr phases exist. The formation of the crystalline phase is attributed to the initial crystals or cluster survived in the BMG melt during ingot remelting. The study indicates that casting temperature can be used as the controlling parameter to produce purely amorphous materials or crystalline CuZr-phase reinforced BMG composites, and the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the BMG composites can be tailored by the amount of the crystalline phase existed in the materials.