Influence of Al on quasicrystal formation in Zr-Ti-Nb-Cu-Ni-Al metallic glasses

The effect of Al on the crystallization behavior of (Zr0.616Ti0.087 Nb0.027Cu0.15Ni0.12)(100-x)Al-x melt-spun glassy ribbons with x = 7.5, 5, 2.5 and 0 was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The devitrification of the ribbons is characterized by the formation of a metastable quasicrystalline phase during the first stage of the crystallization process even for the alloy with x = 0. Therefore, At is not essential for quasicrystal formation in the present alloys. However, it affects the properties of the amorphous as well as of the quasicrystalline phase. With decreasing Al content, the temperature range of stability of the quasicrystalline phase increases whereas the thermal stability of the amorphous phase decreases together with a slight decrease of the extension of the supercooled liquid region. Thus, it is concluded that although the addition of Al improves the stability of the glassy phase, it has no beneficial effect on the formation of quasicrystals.