Fe-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) with high boron content have potential application as a coating material used in the framework for storing spent nuclear fuels to support their safe long-term disposal. The high glass forming ability (GFA) and large supercooled liquid region are therefore required for such Fe-based BMGs in either the glassy powder fabrication or the subsequent coating spraying. In order to meet these requirements, the influence of Nb content on the GFA of Fe57Cr10Zr8B18Mo7−xNbx (x=1–5, at.%) alloys was investigated, as Nb has positive roles in GFA and thermal stability of BMGs. The results indicate that a fully amorphous phase in the as-cast samples with 3 mm in diameter is obtained for both the Fe57Cr10Zr8B18Mo5Nb2 and Fe57Cr10Zr8B18Mo4Nb3 alloys. The corresponding supercooled liquid regions of the two BMGs are 78 K and 71 K, respectively. The mechanism for improving their GFA was analyzed based on the principle of metal solidification, the parameters for glass formation and thermal properties of the alloys. The compression strength and Vicker’s hardness of the two BMGs are 1,950 MPa and 1,310 HV, 2,062 MPa and 1,180 HV, respectively. The developed BMGs with high B content, good GFA, and very high hardness can be used as coating materials to the framework for spent nuclear fuels.
Compared to the micro-sized particle-reinforced metal matrix composites, the nano-sized particle-reinforced metal matrix composites possess superior strength, ductility, and wear resistance, and they also exhibit good elevated temperature properties. Therefore, the nano-sized particle-reinforced metal matrix composites are the new potential material which could be applied in many industry fields. At present, the nano-sized particle-reinforced metal matrix composites could be manufactured by many methods. Different kinds of metals, predominantly A1, Mg, and Cu, have been employed for the production of composites reinforced by nano-sized ceramic particles such as carbides, nitrides, and oxides. The main drawbacks of these synthesis methods are the agglomeration of the nano-sized particles and the poor interface between the particles and the metal matrix. This work is aimed at reviewing the ex situ and in situ manufacturing techniques. Moreover, the distinction between the two methods is discussed in some detail. It was agreed that the in situ manufacturing technique is a promising method to fabricate the nano-sized particle-reinforced metal matrix composites. 相似文献