The evolution of Cu-rich domains in the Cu60Zr30Ti10 metallic glass by ASAXS

The structure of the melt-spun Cu60Zr30Ti10 metallic glass is investigated by anomalous small angle X-ray scattering (ASAXS). It is confirmed that the compositional segregation in the diameter range of 30–50 nm exists in the as-quenched state. ASAXS results have convincingly shown the aggregation of Cu atoms and the formation of Cu-rich domains in the amorphous matrix. The Cu-rich domains grow slightly with low growth rate below the glass transition temperature, while the sizes of these domains drastically increase with high growth rate in the supercooled liquid temperature region. The Cu-rich domains are presumed to be associated with nucleation for the primary crystallization process.