Enhanced plasticity by phase separation in CuZrAl bulk metallic glass with micro-addition of Fe

A significant enhancement of the room-temperature plasticity was realized by the micro-addition of 1 at% Fe in a CuZrAl bulk metallic glass (BMG). It was found that the phase separation by the formation of a Cu-rich phase and a Fe-rich phase is responsible for the improvement of plasticity of the CuZrAl BMG. The result provides a promising approach to enhance the plasticity of BMGs through compositional and structural design by microalloying.