Thermodynamic calculation and experimental validation of Hf-rich glass forming compositions in Hf-Cu-Ni system

In the present work, Hafnium (Hf) based metallic glasses (MGs) have been developed with copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) as the constituent elements. Glass forming compositions in Hf-Cu-Ni ternary system have been predicted using widely accepted thermodynamic parameters. The resulting compositions were subsequently validated by synthesizing the ribbons by melt-spun technique. Structural transformations of these ribbons were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Existence of amorphous phase in the as-cast ribbons validates the applicability of thermodynamic approach. Further, it was observed that width of the supercooled liquid region (ΔTx) for Hf-Cu-Ni system varies from 28 K to 69 K. In view of glass forming ability, the applicability of γ∗ parameter is discussed for Hf-Cu-Ni system.