Effects of Zn addition on the glass forming ability and mechanical properties of Mg-Cu-Gd bulk metallic glasses

The effects of Zn addition on the glass forming ability (GFA) and mechanical properties are investigated in Mg65−xZnxCu25Gd10 (x = 0, 3, 5, 8 at.%) alloys by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and mechanical property tests. Thermal analysis shows that with the increasing of Zn content from 0 to 8 at.%, the supercooled liquid regions of Mg65−xZnxCu25Gd10 alloys decrease from 68 K to 31 K, indicating the obvious deterioration in their GFA. On the other hand, however, the mechanical property tests demonstrate that the appropriate addition of Zn (5 at.%) in Mg65−xZnxCu25Gd10 alloys greatly improves the mechanical strength, increases their compressive fracture strength and Vickers hardness from 648 MPa and 257 Hv to 754 MPa and 286 Hv, respectively. In addition, the fracture surface morphologies have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the dominant fracture behaviors of the as-cast alloys have been explained as well.