Diffusion in metallic glasses

Rutherfordα-particles backscattering technique was employed for measurements of diffusion rates in metallic glasses. Effects of relaxation, crystallization and plastic deformation on diffusion rates were also investigated. It has been observed that the diffusion rates of a metallic solute are of the same orders of magnitude in both metal-metal and metal-metalloid glasses. A higher diffusivity is likely if there is a large difference between melting points of the solute and matrix. Relaxation has no effect on diffusion, however, diffusivity increases on crystallization. An increase in diffusivity is also observed on plastic deformation of metallic glass.