Correlation between the volume change during crystallization and the thermal stability of supercooled liquids

Abstract

We have measured the density of Pd40Ni40−xCuxP20 (x=0–40) alloys in the amorphous and crystalline states. For x>30, the alloys are denser in the amorphous than in the crystalline states, which is contrary to the behavior of all known metallic glasses. For Pd40Ni40−xCuxP20 and all other bulk metallic glasses where density data are available in both the amorphous and crystalline states, we find a correlation between the stability of the supercooled liquids and the difference between the molar volumes of the glassy and crystalline phases. The supercooled liquid region is largest for those alloys that show no change in molar volume upon crystallization.