Formation and Mechanical Properties of Cu–Zr–Al–Sn Bulk Metallic Glasses

Abstract

Formation and mechanical properties of Cu–Zr–Al–Sn bulk metallic glasses were investigated. The glass-forming ability of Cu50Zr50 alloy is significantly improved with addition of Al, and the critical diameter for glass formation increases from 2 to 7 mm for Cu46.25Zr46.25Al7.5 alloy. Furthermore, the critical diameter is slightly increased to 8 mm by substituting 1 at% Sn for Zr of Cu46.25Zr46.25Al7.5 alloy. The bulk glassy Cu46.25Zr46.25Al7.5 alloy exhibits a limited plasticity of about 1.2% to failure under compression and the plasticity is effectively enhanced due to the addition of Sn, about 4.1% for bulk glassy Cu46.25Zr45.25Al7.5Sn1 alloy.