Consolidation and mechanical properties of ball milled Zr50Cu50 glassy ribbons

Bulk Zr50Cu50 partially crystallized glassy specimens have been produced by powder metallurgy methods. Zr50Cu50 powder has been prepared by controlled milling of melt spun glassy ribbons and subsequently consolidated by hot pressing into bulk cylindrical samples of 10 mm diameter and 10 mm length. The consolidated material exhibits interesting mechanical properties, namely, a perfect elastic regime of 1.5%, high strength of about 1350 MPa and hardness of 4.80 GPa. However, no macroscopic ductility is visible, most likely due to the residual porosity of the consolidated specimens. These results indicate that powder metallurgy methods may become a valid alternative to casting techniques for the production of glassy and partially crystallized Zr-based alloys.