Surface modification of Zr-based bulk amorphous alloys by using ion irradiation

Surfaces of the [Zr0.65Cu0.18Ni0.09Al0.08]98M2 (M = Er and Gd) bulk amorphous alloys were modified by irradiation with energetic singly charged argon (Ar+) ions. Samples of both the alloys were irradiated with 2.17 × 1017 argon ions of 10 keV energy. As cast and ion irradiated samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Mechanical properties like Vicker's hardness, nanohardness, elastic modulus and elastic recovery were measured. Considerable increase in elastic modulus and hardness was observed because of ion irradiation in these alloys. The ion irradiated samples of the [Zr0.65Cu0.18Ni0.09Al0.08]98Er2 alloy showed better properties as compared to [Zr0.65Cu0.18Ni0.09Al0.08]98Gd2 alloy. CuZr2 phase was detected in ion irradiated alloys by XRD and confirmed by EDS. The range of Ar+ ions was found to be approximately 9.3 ± 5.4 nm in both alloys.

Research highlights▶ Ion irradiations of two multicomponent bulk amorphous alloys have been done. Ion irradiation produced crystalline phases in the amorphous matrix due to which mechanical properties enhanced. Considerable increase in hardness and elastic modulus was observed. The results are verified, authentic and confirmed.