Formation and thermal stability of new Zr–Cu-based bulk glassy alloys with unusual glass-forming ability

The simultaneous addition of Al and Ag to Zr–Cu binary alloys increased in the stabilization of supercooled liquid, the reduced glass transition temperature and γ value, leading to greatly enhance the glass-forming ability (GFA). The Zr–Cu–Ag–Al glassy alloy samples with diameters above 15 mm were obtained in the wide composition range of 42–50 at% Zr, 32–42 at% Cu, 5–10 at% Ag, and 5–12 at% Al. The best GFA was obtained for Zr48Cu36Ag8Al8 alloy, and the glassy samples with diameters up to 25 mm were fabricated by an injection copper mold casting. The Zr48Cu36Ag8Al8 glassy alloy exhibited high tensile and compressive fracture strength of over 1800 MPa.