Effects of substitution of La by other rare-earth elements on the glass forming ability of Al86Ni9La5 alloy

•Wedge-shaped samples were suction cast with casting conditions controlled.•Substitution of La by Ce, Dy or Gd increases the GFA of Al86Ni9La5 except for Sc.•Al86Ni9La3.5Gd1.5 has the best GFA among the alloys.•The GFA was analyzed from the thermodynamic and topological points of view.

The influence of La partially substituted by Sc, Dy, Gd or Ce on the glass forming ability (GFA) of Al86Ni9La5 was investigated by suction casting wedge-shaped samples with preparation conditions controlled. The results show that except Sc, such substitutions enhance the GFA of the alloy, and Al86Ni9La3.5Gd1.5 exhibits the best GFA among them. The GFA was analyzed from the thermodynamic and topological points of view. It was found that the GFA of Al86Ni9La3.5RE1.5 is strongly correlated to not only the thermodynamic driving force for the glass formation but also the atomic packing efficiency. Higher packing efficiency and stability of Al17RE correspond to better GFA.