Synthesis and mechanical properties of TiC-reinforced Cu-based bulk metallic glass composites

Excellent wettability of SiC and TiC was obtained with a molten Cu47Ti34Zr11Ni8 alloy with final contact angles of ∼0 and ∼5°, respectively. Cu-based glassy composites, reinforced by in situ TiC particles produced by the reaction between Ti and SiC, were then fabricated by copper mould casting. Uniaxial compression tests indicate that the fracture strength increases from 2000 MPa in the monolithic glass to 2159 MPa in the glassy composite, and the plastic strain increases from 0 to 2.5%.