Accuracy of a selection criterion for glass forming ability in the Ni-Nb-Zr system

Several theories have been developed and applied in metallic systems in order to find the best stoichiometries with high glass forming ability; however there is no universal theory to predict the glass forming ability in metallic systems. Recently a selection criterion was applied in the Zr-Ni-Cu system and it was found some correlation between experimental and theoretical data. This criterion correlates critical cooling rate for glass formation with topological instability of stable crystalline structures; average work function difference and average electron density difference among the constituent elements of the alloy. In the present work, this criterion was applied in the Ni-Nb-Zr system. It was investigated the influence of factors not considered in the calculation and on the accuracy of the criterion, such as unknown intermetallic compounds and oxygen contamination. Bulk amorphous specimens were produced by injection casting. The amorphous nature was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry; oxygen contamination was quantified by the inert gas fusion method.