Effect of Ga substitution on the crystallization behaviour and glass forming ability of Zr–Al–Cu–Ni alloys

The crystallization behaviour of melt spun Zr69.5Al7.5−xGaxCu12Ni11 (x = 0–7.5; in at.%) metallic glasses has been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC traces showed changes in crystallization behaviour with substitution of Ga. Formation of single nano-quasicrystalline phase by controlled crystallization of glasses has been found only for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1.5. Further increase of Ga content gives rise to formation of the quasicrystals together with Zr2Cu type crystalline phase. In addition to this, the substitution of Ga influences the size and shape of nano-quasicrystals. The glass forming abilities (GFAs) of these metallic glasses were assessed by the recognition of glass forming ability indicators, i.e. reduced glass transition temperature (Trg) and supercooled liquid region (ΔTx). The glass transition temperature (Tg) has been observed for all the melt spun ribbons.