High glass forming ability and good mechanical properties of Cu–Zr–Al bulk metallic glasses

Abstract

For developing bulk metallic glasses with high glass forming ability (GFA) and good mechanical properties, Cu92−xZrxAl8 (x = 35–65 at-%) alloys have been studied by means of tilt mould casting method. The largest glassy rod with a critical diameter of 18 mm in this alloy series was obtained for Cu42Zr50Al8 alloy. The Hruby factor is appropriate for evaluating GFA in the cast Zr–Cu–Al bulk glassy alloy. The bulk metallic glasses with high GFA exhibit good mechanical properties, i.e. compressive fracture strength of 1783–2240 MPa, Young’s modulus of 90–123 GPa and plastic strain of 0–0·73%.