Novel centimeter-sized Fe-based bulk metallic glass with high corrosion resistance in simulated acid rain and seawater

• Centimeter-sized Fe-based metallic glass was prepared using industry raw materials.
• The corrosion properties of novel Fe-based bulk metallic glass are investigated.
• This alloy has a high corrosion resistance in simulated acid rain and seawater.
• This alloy has an attractive prospect for use in amorphous coating applications.

In the present work, a novel Fe43Co4.5Cr16.5Mo16.5C14B4Y1.5 (at.%) bulk metallic glass rod with 10 mm in diameter has been developed by Cu-mold suction casting using commercial grade raw materials. The thermal stability and corrosion behaviors of the centimeter-sized Fe-based alloys have been studied by differential scanning calorimeter and electrochemical measurements, respectively. The as-cast Fe-based alloy exhibits a high glass transition temperature of 820 K and a large super-cooled liquid region of 60 K, demonstrating an excellent thermal stability. Moreover, the Fe-based alloy developed appears to have corrosion resistance comparable to (or better than) that of 316L stainless steel, based on the measurements of breakdown potential and corrosion weight loss in simulated acid rain and seawater solution. The affluent of chromium and molybdenum elements included is conceived to be highly responsible for the high corrosion resistance in the current Fe-based bulk metallic glass, which may be good candidates to be used as low-cost, high-strength, and corrosion-resistant amorphous alloy.