An experimental and modeling study on the role of damage cascade formation in nanocrystalization of ion-irradiated Ni52.5Nb10Zr15Ti15Pt7.5 metallic glass

We have shown that 1 MeV Ni+ ion irradiation can cause nanocrystal formation in Ni52.5Nb10Zr15Ti15Pt7.5 metallic glass (MG). The process requires precipitate formation and subsequent crystal growth within the precipitates. Temperature evolution modeling of damage cascades suggests a locally melted region within the damage cascade with substantial temperature gradients and rapid energy dissipation, with a quenching rate much larger than MG’s critical cooling rate. Thus, the damage cascade regions do not directly develop nanocrystals.