Bulk metallic glass formation of Ti-based alloys from low purity elements

The effect of yttrium addition on the glass forming ability (GFA) of the alloy Ti40Zr25Be20Cu12Ni3 has been investigated. It is found that the GFA of alloy Ti40Zr25Be20Cu12Ni3 is sensitive to purity of the raw materials. With 0.5 at.% Y addition, the alloy exhibits improved GFA. The positive effect of yttrium addition on the glass formation is that 0.5 at.% of Y addition can suppress the precipitation of Laves phase, more addition leads to the precipitation of YCu phase and icosahedral phase (I-phase). The suppression effect is by removing impurities which will catalyses the Laves nucleation.