Atomic structure of Zr–Cu–Al and Zr–Ni–Al amorphous alloys

We report on the atomic structure via pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of metallic glasses of the Zr–Cu–Al and Zr–Ni–Al families. The PDFs were evaluated from the X-ray diffraction data. Transmission X-ray diffraction spectra of the investigated samples were measured using monochromatic, high-energy synchrotron radiation. In this work we demonstrate the effect of composition on the pair distribution functions. A variation of first PDF peak shape was observed on modification of Cu and Al content. A split of the first PDF peak was found to be more pronounced in Zr–Ni–Al than in Zr–Cu–Al glasses suggesting differences in their atomic structures.