Fe-based bulk metallic glass matrix composite with large plasticity

Using alloy design, an Fe77Mo5P9C7.5B1.5 bulk metallic glass matrix composite reinforced by in situ formed ductile α-Fe dendrites has been developed. In contrast to the monolithic Fe-based bulk metallic glasses that usually fail in brittle fracture, the resulting composite shows a significant plastic strain of more than 30% as well as a high fracture strength of over 3.0 GPa. The in situ formation of the ductile α-Fe dendrites accounts for the significant enhancement of the plasticity.