Gradient microstructure with martensitic transformation for developing a large-size metallic alloy with enhanced mechanical properties

Optimization in microstructure and mechanical properties of the 7 mm-diameter metallic alloy rod: (I) gradient microstructure with martensitic transformation, consisting of amorphous and nano ZrCu phases in top surface layer, fine-grained ZrCu, Zr2Cu and Cu10Zr7 phases in subsurface layer, and coarse-grained Zr2Cu and Cu10Zr7 phases in center region; (II) ultimate stress plotted against Young's modulus showing that the strength-modulus relation nearly lies in the regime of the ideal materials which is far from the regimes of metallic glasses and nanocrystallines.152