Electrochemical properties and surface analysis of Cu-Zr-Ag-Al-Nb bulk metallic glasses

The electrochemical properties and surface characteristics of Cu-Zr-Ag-Al-Nb bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) were investigated. The alloys exhibit excellent corrosion resistance after immersion in 1N H2SO4 and 1N NaOH. The corrosion rates of the alloys in chloride-ion-containing solutions significantly decrease by alloying with Nb element. The formation of Zr- and Nb-enriched surface films could be responsible for the high corrosion resistance.