Solid state amorphization and crystallization in Zr66.7Pd33.3 metallic glass

We observed quasicrystal-to-amorphous-to-crystal (Q-A-C) transition in Zr66.7Pd33.3 metallic glass. The unique disordering-ordering phase transition was induced by 2 MeV electron irradiation at 298 K. Electron irradiation can induce not only the solid-state amorphization but also crystallization of a glassy structure under the same irradiation conditions. The Q-A-C transition can be explained by change in the phase stability of crystal, quasicrystal and amorphous phases by electron irradiation induced atomic displacement.