Glass forming ability and primary crystallization behavior of Al–Ni–Ce alloys

Wedge-shaped samples of Al–Ni–Ce alloys were prepared by suction casting with preparation conditions controlled. Glass forming ability (GFA) of the alloys was characterized. The primary crystallization process was investigated by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that the optimum glass forming composition is located at Al85.5Ni9.5Ce5, but the GFA parameters such as Trg and γ are the highest in Al85Ni8Ce7. The value of the topological instability parameter λ of the Al–Ni–Ce alloy with the best GFA is 0.085 rather than 0.1. The GFA was analyzed from the topological and crystallization points of view.

► Wedge-shaped samples were suction cast with casting conditions strictly controlled.
► The optimum glass forming composition is found to be Al85.5Ni9.5Ce5.
► Parameter λ of the alloy with the best GFA is not always a constant of 0.1.
► The GFA was analyzed from the topological and crystallization points of view.