Laser welding of Zr45Cu48Al7 bulk glassy alloy

Using a laser welding method, we have successfully welded two pieces of bulk metallic glasses based on Zr45Cu48Al7 without crystallization. No crystallization was observed and no visible defect of crack was recognized in the bead and heated-affected zone (HAZ) under the condition of welding scanning speed of 8 m/min with an output laser power of 1200 W. Our analysis of the temperature profile the thermal cycle (temperature history) in the bead and HAZ indicates that the temperatures in the bead and HAZ rapidly decreased to below 430 °C resulted in glass formation from the melt in the bead and non-crystallization in the HAZ in the sample scanned at 8 m/min.