The effects of microalloying on thermal stability, mechanical property and corrosion resistance of Mg-based bulk metallic glasses

(Mg65Cu20Y10Zn5)98 M2 (M = Ti, Cr) bulk metallic glasses with diameter of 3 mm were prepared by copper mold casting. The effects of Ti or Cr on thermal stability, mechanical property and corrosion resistance were systematically investigated. It's shown that the Glass forming ability of the Mg65Cu20Y10Zn5 bulk metallic glasses slightly decreases with the addition of the elements. Whereas, the strength and corrosion resistance significantly increase. The superior corrosion resistance of the amorphous sample containing Ti or Cr is presented for the forming of homogeneous passive layer with highly protective oxides.

► Ti and Cr efficiently improve the corrosion resistance of Mg65Cu20Y10Zn5 BMGs in chloride ions containing solution.
► Ti and Cr improves the strength of Mg65Cu20Y10Zn5 BMGs.
► The existence of Ti and Cr makes the alloy easy to form oxide layer on the corrosion surface.
► The decrease in glass forming ability is due to the increase of the Gibbs free energy.