Glass forming ability, thermal stability and indentation characteristics of Ce75Al25−xGax metallic glasses

The glass forming ability and indentation characteristics of melt-spun Ce75Al25−xGax (x = 0, 2, 4 and 6 at.%) metallic glasses have been investigated. The substitution of Ga decreases the glass transition temperature (Tg), while increases the supercooled liquid region (ΔTx). The small amount of Ga substitution has led to appearance of second diffuse halos in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern. The observation of “bi-amorphous phases” is thus asserted. The transmission electron microscopic images led us to conclude the formation of nano-amorphous domains after Ga substitution. The load dependent hardness behavior of metallic glasses with and without Ga substitution has been studied. The substitution of Ga improves the microhardness property of Ce-Al alloy. The formation of shear bands around the indentation periphery has been observed. The value of yield strength and Meyer exponent of these alloys has been compared.