Effect of Fe substitution on the crystallization and mechanical properties of Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5−xFex alloys

Melt-spun ribbons of composition Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5−xFex (x = 1, 2 and 3) have been synthesized to study the effect of Fe substitution for Ni on the crystallization and mechanical properties. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was carried out to measure the glass transition temperature (Tg), onset crystallization temperature Tx and supercooled liquid region ΔTx. The activation energy of crystallization has been calculated using Kissinger equation. The alloys were heat-treated at 450, 490, 550 and 600 °C for 20 min to introduce the crystalline phases for the enhancements of the mechanical properties. The substitution of Fe for Ni helps to nucleate the FeZr2, Al3Fe and Zr (Al, Fe) as well as change the crystallization process. The nanohardness and elastic modulus of the alloys improved with the introduction of the nanocrystalline phases.