Effect of minor alloying on the glass formation of U-based alloys

The effect of minor Sn alloying on the glass formation of U-based alloys is investigated. A string of U-Fe alloys designed with the eutectic rule are all formed in a partially glassy state under melt-spinning. Minor addition of Sn gives rise to the full amorphisation of the alloys, and the achievement of the reduced glass transition temperature for new U-Fe-Sn alloys comparable to some ordinary bulk metallic glasses. This role of Sn microalloying may be ascribed to improved packing efficiency of icosahedral atomic clusters underlying in the alloy liquids. It is suggested that local atomic packing is a necessary consideration for exploiting desirable U-based multicomponent alloys with high glass forming ability.