Effect of Si addition on glass-forming ability and mechanical properties of Cu–Zr–Al bulk metallic glass

The effect of Si addition on the glass-forming ability (GFA) and mechanical properties of (Cu50Zr43Al7)100−xSix (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 at.%) alloys were investigated. The GFA of Cu50Zr43Al7 alloy is improved by addition of a small amount of Si, and the critical diameter for glass formation increases from 10 mm for the alloy with x = 0–12 mm for the alloy with x = 1 when prepared using copper mold casting. Different criteria are used to evaluate the influence of Si content on the GFA, and the possible mechanisms involved in the achievement of this GFA are also discussed. In the uniaxial compression, the bulk glassy alloys exhibit a limited plastic strain of less than 1%, but the compressive fracture strength and Young's modulus were obtained in high values of 1969–2129 MPa and 101–144 GPa, respectively. Fracture surface and shear bands of samples were studied by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Research highlightsThe Cu50Zr43Al7 alloy has a surprising GFA, and the glassy rods with diameter of 10 mm have been produced in this research. It has not been reported that the Cu-based glassy rods (Cu ≥ 50 at.%) to be produced with the critical diameter greater than 10 mm. The novelty of this research is that the glass formation has been improved and the critical diameter increased to 12 mm for the alloy having x = 1 with the addition of Si. Different criteria are used to evaluate the influence of Si content on the GFA, and the possible mechanisms involved in the achievement of this GFA are also discussed.