Effect of V substitution on mechanical properties and fracture behavior of ZrCuNiAl bulk metallic glass

Synthesis of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) has been one of the interesting topics of research in materials science during this decade due to their very attractive physical and mechanical properties. In the present study, Zr65Cu17.5−xNi10Al7.5Vx (at%) alloy has been synthesized by suction casting technique. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to the analysis of thermal stability and phase formation of samples. Furthermore, the effects of microstructures on the compressive deformation and fracture behaviors of the samples at the strain rate of 1 × 10−4 s−1 at room temperature were discussed. The increase of vanadium content changes the crystallization mode of the samples and leads to change of mechanical properties.

► The increase of vanadium content changes the crystallization mode of the BMGs.
► Mechanical properties of Zr-based BMGs are enhanced largely due to V addition.
► The angles αSB and θc compared in the Zr-based BMGs.
► The fracture surfaces of Zr65Cu17.5−xNi10Al7.5Vx (at%) BMGs observed by SEM.