Atomistic model of amorphous materials

An atomistic model, the tight-bond cluster model, was constructed for amorphous materials. This model contains essentially three major parts: (I) clusters with tight bonding; (II) redefined loosely bonded free-volume regions between clusters; and (III) interconnecting zones, which interconnect the clusters. The reversible transformation between the free-volume regions and interconnecting zones around glass-transition temperature determines the amorphous solid and supercooled liquid status. The atomistic model presented in this short article also contributes to a fundamental understanding of the structure of amorphous materials at the atomic level as well as the relationship between the structure and mechanical and physical properties of amorphous metallic glasses in solid and supercooled liquid states.,(C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.