A Ti36.2Zr30.3Cu8.3Fe4Be21.2 bulk metallic glass with exceptional glass forming ability and remarkable compressive plasticity

The limited glass forming ability (GFA) and deficient plasticity are two longstanding bottlenecks for the applications of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) as structural materials. In this article, we report a TiZr-based BMG with nominal composition of Ti36.2Zr30.3Cu8.3Fe4Be21.2 (at.%) which possesses exceptional GFA and remarkable compressive plasticity simultaneously. The alloy ingot in weight of 150 g can be solidified into an amorphous state, indicating an exceptional GFA – the critical size for glass forming of the current BMG is estimated over 50 mm. The plasticity of about 8% was obtained from the as-cast 2-mm-diameter rod with an aspect ratio of 2, concomitant obvious work hardening effect. The present BMG possessing exceptional GFA and remarkable compressive plasticity simultaneously may have a scientific importance on developing BMGs for structural applications.

► A TiZr-based BMG was developed in Ti–Zr–Cu–Fe–Be system for the first time.
► This BMG possesses an exceptional GFA and remarkable plasticity simultaneously.
► The critical size is over 30 mm by copper mold pour casting method.
► The plastic strain is as large as 8% concomitant an obvious work hardening effect.
► The compressive plasticity is the largest among those of BMGs with dC over 20 mm.