Phase separation in Cu46Zr47−xAl7Gdx metallic glasses

The influence of Gd addition on phase separation of rapidly quenched Cu46Zr47−xAl7Gdx metallic glasses (x = 2,5,7) was studied. For low Gd content (x = 2), a homogeneous glass is obtained for the as-quenched state. Annealing leads to cluster formation by nucleation and growth prior to crystallization. For the Gd contents x = 5 and 7, early stages of spinodal decomposition are observed in the as-quenched glasses. Further annealing increases the amplitude of the compositional fluctuations prior to crystallization. Atom probe tomography gives evidence of the presence of Gd-enriched clusters of 2–5 nm size for the Cu46Zr42Al7Gd5 glass. The structure formation as a function of the Gd content is essentially determined by the composition dependence of the miscibility gap of the metastable undercooled melt. Early stages of spinodal decomposition or almost homogeneous glassy states are obtained if the critical temperature of liquid–liquid phase separation is close or below to the glass transition temperature.

Research highlights▶ Phase separated Cu46Zr47−xAl7Gdx metallic glasses were prepared by melt-spinning. ▶ Gd-enriched clusters 2–5 nm in size are formed during quenching the melt for x = 5 at%. ▶ Liquid-liquid phase separation occurs in the metastable under-cooled melt. ▶ Structure formation is determined by thermodynamic properties of the liquid. ▶ Annealing increases the amplitude of compositional fluctuations prior to crystallization.