Oxidation behavior of amorphous and nanoquasicrystalline Zr–Pd and Zr–Pt alloys

Oxidation behavior of amorphous and nanoquasicrystalline Zr70Pd30 and Zr80Pt20 alloys melt-spun at different wheel speeds has been studied in air by non-isothermal and isothermal techniques. Oxidation resistance of amorphous alloys has been found to be the lowest in comparison to the partially and fully crystallized Zr alloys. It has also been observed that oxidation does not induce crystallization of the amorphous phase. It has been shown that the oxygen diffusion rate increases gradually in the order of crystalline, nanoquasicrystalline, partially nanocrystalline and amorphous states of these alloys. Possible micromechanism of oxidation and the role of different grain/interface boundaries on the oxygen diffusion has been discussed.