Glass formation and nanocrystallization in Zr based alloys

In the present paper bulk glass forming behaviour of some of Zr based Ni, Cu, Al and Ti bearing alloys has been investigated. Examination of the as solidified microstructure of these alloys in the partially crystalline state has shown that the predominance presence of the Zr₂Ni or its derivatives phases as the phases competing with glass formation whereas in the fully amorphous microstructure, quenched-in nuclei and the atomic short range order existing in the amorphous phase were observed. The aim of the microstructural examinations of the fully amorphous phase was to ascertain the nature and morphology of the quench-in nuclei. In the partially crystalline microstructures, study of the crystalline phases competing with glass formation has helped in better understanding of the solidification process during BMG formation. The kinetics of crystallization of the as solidified Zr based bulk metallic glasses were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and crystallized microstructures were examined by conventional and high-resolution electron microscopy. The activation energies of crystallization and the Avrami exponent have been evaluated. The Avrami exponent values have been rationalized in terms of the observed nucleation and growth behaviour of the phases forming on crystallisation. Conditions of crystallization leading to the formation of nanocrystals have been identified.