The impact of micro-alloying on relaxation dynamics in Pd40Ni40P20 bulk metallic glass

Abstract

The impact of Co micro-alloying on low temperature specific heat capacity and the relaxation processes in a model Pd40Ni40P20 bulk metallic glass in both as-cast and cold-rolled states was investigated. In addition to an excess (Boson) peak at low temperatures of about 12 to 14 K, a magnetic heat capacity anomaly in the Co alloyed glass below 10 K was observed. The measured Boson peak heights and the fictive temperatures both advocate a much faster β relaxation in the micro-alloyed glass. Yet, the micro-alloying does not measurably affect the enthalpy associated with α-relaxation. The impact of shear bands on the thermodynamic properties of the micro-alloyed glass is discussed.