Characterization of bulk metallic glasses via fast differential scanning calorimetry

•We explore bulk metallic glasses via fast differential scanning calorimetry.•The chip sensor surface material does not influence FDSC measurements.•Glass formability and crystallization depend on sample mass.

This study explores the thermophysical properties of Au-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) via fast differential scanning calorimetry (FDSC). Using this technique, the glass formation of the alloys Au60+xCu15.5−xAg7.5Si17 (x = 0, 5 and 10) was investigated in situ. The critical cooling rate (Φc) and heating rate (Φh) required to avoid crystallization were analyzed for various sample masses and chip sensor surface materials. The results show that the alloy with the highest Au-content exhibits the lowest resistance against crystallization. Silicon nitride, silicon oxide and graphite used as chip sensor surface material were proven not to influence the measurements. In general, a dependence of crystallization on sample mass was observed for all compositions. Both the critical cooling and critical heating rates increase until a certain mass is reached. This phenomenon is explained via a size-dependent nucleation effect.