Electron irradiation induced nano-crystallization in Zr66.7Ni33.3 amorphous alloy and Zr60Al15Ni25 metallic glass

Electron irradiation induced phase transformation behavior of an amorphous phase in Zr66.7Ni33.3 alloy, and an amorphous phase or supercooled liquid in Zr60Al15Ni25 alloy was investigated. The amorphous phase could not maintain the original glassy structure under electron irradiation at 298 K, and f.c.c.-solid solution precipitated under electron irradiation in both alloys. The precipitation of C16-Zr2Ni, big-cube (metastable f.c.c.-based Zr2Ni intermetallic compound), Zr6Al2Ni and Zr5AlNi4 crystalline phases from an amorphous phase was not observed during electron irradiation induced crystallization. The amorphous phase in Zr60Al15Ni25 metallic glass shows the highest phase stability against electron irradiation induced crystallization among Zr66.7Cu33.3, Zr66.7Ni33.3, Zr65Al7.5Ni27.5, Zr60Al15Ni25 and Zr65Al7.5Ni10Cu17.5 alloys. In Zr60Al15Ni25 metallic glass, electron irradiation promoted the precipitation of f.c.c.-solid solution and Zr6Al2Ni crystalline phases from the supercooled liquid.