A study on the surface structures and properties of Ni-free Zr-based bulk metallic glasses after Ar and Ca ion implantation

Ca or Ar implantation was performed on a Zr46Cu37.636Al8.364Ag8 (in atomic percent) bulk metallic glass (BMG) at 10 keV with a fluence of 8 × 1015 cm-2. The effects of ion implantation on the surface microstructure, nano-hardness, and corrosion behavior of the Zr-based BMG have been studied. The results showed that the BMG specimen maintained an amorphous structure after Ar or Ca ion implantation. The thermodynamic stabilities were altered by ion implantation, and the relaxation of an amorphous structure is shown. The surface nano-hardness and corrosion resistance were enhanced after ion implantation. The efficient improvement of the surface performance by ion implantation on BMGs was analyzed and discussed.