Preparation and mechanical properties of dispersed-ZrN glassy composite alloys containing pores

Glassy composite alloys containing dispersed ZrN particles and pores were successfully prepared for the first time by a powder compact melting and liquid quenching process using Zr-Al-Ni-Cu glassy alloy and AlN powders as the starting materials. The alloys were produced both in ribbon and rod forms by means of conventional single-roll spinning and casting techniques. The ZrN particles were of approximately micrometer sizes and synthesized by an AlN decomposition reaction. It was found that they had a regular morphology and high crystallinity, suggesting single crystals. The pores were spherical with a diameter of ∼10 μm and a porosity of about 2%. The rod alloys had a compressive fracture strength of about 2 GPa which is higher than that of the matrix of the Zr-Al-Ni-Cu glassy alloy.