Effect of Nb on glass forming ability and plasticity of (Ti–Cu)-based bulk metallic glasses

A Ti33Cu47Zr9Ni6Sn2Si1Nb2 bulk metallic glass has been developed by Nb partial substitution for Zr in Ti33Cu47Zr11Ni6Sn2Si1 alloy. The glass forming ability Ti33Cu47Zr9Ni6Sn2Si1Nb2 alloy has been investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffractometry. Partial Nb substitutes for Zr promote the glass forming ability. Ti33Cu47Zr9Ni6Sn2Si1Nb2 BMG with diameter of 3 mm can be fabricated by Cu-mold injection casting method. The glass forming ability of Ti33Cu47Zr9Ni6Sn2Si1Nb2 alloy is enhanced by stabilizing the undercooled liquid against crystallization. The plastic strain up to 2.5% was obtained for Ti33Cu47Zr9Ni6Sn2Si1Nb2 BMG compared to 0.15% for Ti33Cu47Zr11Ni6Sn2Si1 BMG, which demonstrates that small amount of Nb addition can have a dramatic effect on plasticity enhancement in Ti–Cu-based BMG. The intersection and branching of the shear bands are observed. The plastic strain of the Ti33Cu47Zr9Ni6Sn2Si1Nb2 BMG can be improved by the generation of nanocrystalline particles, which lead to multiple shear bands.