Air-Oxidation Behavior of a Cu60Hf25Ti15 Bulk Metallic Glass at 375–520 °C

The oxidation behavior of a Cu60Hf25Ti15 bulk metallic glass was studied over the temperature range of 375–520 °C in dry air. The oxidation kinetics of the amorphous alloy generally followed the parabolic law at all temperatures, with an oxidation rate increasing with temperature. The oxidation rates of the amorphous alloy were much higher than those of polycrystalline pure-Cu, implying that the additions of Hf and Ti accelerated the oxidation reaction. The composition of the scales formed on the amorphous alloy was strongly temperature-dependent, since they consisted mostly of Cu4O3 and CuO with minor amounts of HfO2 at T ≤ 450 °C, while mostly CuO with minor amounts of HfO2 and Cu2TiO3 were detected at higher temperatures. In addition, nanocrystalline Cu51Hf14 and Cu3Ti2 phases were detected on the substrate after oxidation at T ≥ 450 °C, indicating the occurrence of phase transformation.