Glass forming ability, non-isothermal crystallization kinetics, and mechanical property of Zr61.5Al10.7Cu13.65Ni14.15 metallic glass

The glass forming ability (GFA), thermal stability, non-isothermal crystallization kinetics, and mechanical property of Zr61.5Al10.7Cu13.65Ni14.15 glass forming alloy were investigated. Its maximum glass forming dimension reaches up to 5.5 mm and its critical cooling rate is less than 40 K s(-1). The apparent activation energies for glass transition Eg, onset crystallization Ex, and crystallization peak E-p are 214.56 +/- 16.14, 267.42 +/- 9.36, and 305.69 +/- 7.31 kJ mol(-1), respectively. Small fragility parameter m about 17 indicates its better thermodynamic stability and GFA. In addition, its elastic strain limit, compressive strength, and Young's modulus are 2.73%, 1.81 GPa, and 70.47 GPa, respectively. Its V-shape fracture mode is different form other bulk metallic glasses. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.