Formation and properties of RE55Al25Co20 (RE = Y, Ce, La, Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) bulk metallic glasses

We report that a series of ternary RE55Al25Co20 (RE = Y, Ce, La, Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) alloys can be readily cast into bulk glasses by a conventional casting method. The characteristics and properties of these new bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are studied and compared. Due to the chemical comparability and well-regulated variety in atomic size, properties and elastic constants of these rare earth elements, the RE55Al25Co20 BMGs could be regarded as a model system to investigate the glass-forming ability, thermal stability, glass transition, crystallization behavior, liquid fragility, elastic and mechanical properties as well as their relationships. An attempt is made to highlight commonality and contrasts of the effects of various factors on the metallic glasses formation and properties.