Enhanced glass forming ability and plasticity of a Ni-free Zr-based bulk metallic glass

The effect of Ag addition on the glass forming ability (GFA) and mechanical properties of (Zr0.62Cu0.23Fe0.05Al0.10)100−xAgx (x = 0, 1, 3, 5, 7) alloys were investigated by X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry and compression testing. Their GFA and plasticity are found to increase simultaneously with increasing Ag content up to 3 at.%, but beyond this range, they both decrease. The (Zr0.62Cu0.23Fe0.05Al0.10)97Ag3 alloy exhibits the highest GFA and largest plasticity, with a critical diameter of 10 mm and a fracture plastic strain of 5.2%. The reasons for the enhanced GFA and plasticity are discussed by considering the positive heat of mixing between Ag, Cu and Fe. The Ni-free (Zr0.62Cu0.23Fe0.05Al0.10)97Ag3 alloy with high GFA, reasonably good plasticity and a low Young's modulus of approximate 68 GPa is a promising candidate for biomedical applications.