Doping-induced formation of bulk nanocrystalline alloy from metallic glass with controllable microstructure and properties

We report the formation of bulk nanocrystalline alloys from a Pr-based bulk metallic glass-forming alloy by doping iron. The microstructure of the alloys can be tuned progressively from full glassy state to composite with nanocrystalline particles in the glassy matrix, and finally into nanostructured state accompanying with the gradual magnetic and mechanical changes. The role of the addition in the control of microstructure and magnetic property, the mechanism for the nanocrystalline formation induced by addition, and the relation between the microstructure and properties are discussed.