Phase separation in vapor quench synthesized noncrystalline copper zirconium alloys

Abstract

Observations are reported on phase separation in copper-zirconium noncrystalline alloys that were prepared using two-source magnetron-sputtering vapor-quench techniques. The phase separation occurred during synthesis and was observed over the composition range Cu-25–65 at. % Zr. Evidence from x-ray analysis, differential thermal analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and electrochemical behavior are presented. These results are discussed and compared to reported observations on liquid-quenched noncrystalline copper-zirconium alloys.