Glass-forming ability, crystallization kinetics, mechanical property, and corrosion behavior of Zr–Al–Ni–Ag glassy alloys

• Cu-free Zr–Al–Ni–Ag BMGs with high glass-forming ability were fabricated.
• Zr56Al16(Ni0.7Ag0.3)28 BMG has a critical diameter of 20 mm by copper mold casting.
• Ag-bearing BMG presents a lower Avrami exponent n than that of Zr–Al–Ni alloy.
• The BMGs exhibit excellent corrosion resistance in 3 mass% NaCl solution.
• The BMGs possess high strength, distinct plasticity, and high specific strength.

The effects of partial substitution of Ni by Ag in Zr56Al16(Ni1−xAgx)28 (at.%, x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) alloys on their glass-forming ability (GFA), crystallization kinetics, mechanical property, and corrosion behavior were investigated. The critical diameter for glass formation of Zr56Al16Ni28 alloy is significantly enhanced by partially substituting Ag for Ni. The Zr56Al16(Ni0.7Ag0.3)28 BMG exhibits the best GFA and its critical diameter for glass formation is 20 mm. Ag-bearing Zr-based BMG presents a lower Avrami exponent n than that of Ag-free Zr–Al–Ni BMG, indicating the nucleation rate is reduced by the addition of Ag. The corrosion resistance of Zr–Al–Ni BMG is improved by Ag alloying, and the Zr–Al–Ni–Ag BMG exhibits higher corrosion resistance than that of other known Zr-based BMGs with high GFA. Moreover, the BMGs possess high compressive yield strength of 1830–2000 MPa, large plastic strain of 2.7–3.1%, and high specific strength of 274–312 MPa cm3/g.