Atomic-Scale Heterogeneity of a Multicomponent Bulk Metallic Glass with Excellent Glass Forming Ability

Abstract

We report the atomic structure of a multicomponent ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{45}{\mathrm{Zr}}_{45}{\mathrm{Ag}}_{10}$ bulk metallic glass investigated by state-of-the-art experimental and computational techniques. In comparison with a binary ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{50}{\mathrm{Zr}}_{50}$ metallic glass, Zr-rich interpenetrating clusters centered by paired and stringed Ag atoms and Cu-rich icosahedra are widely observed in the ternary ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{45}{\mathrm{Zr}}_{45}{\mathrm{Ag}}_{10}$ alloy. The atomic-scale heterogeneity caused by chemical short- and medium-range order is found to play a key role in stabilizing the liquid phase and in improving the glass forming ability of the multicomponent alloy.