Validity of the energy and entropy interfacial tension models examined in view of the stability of metallic glasses

The thermal stability of metallic glasses as calculated from homogeneous nucleation and growth theory is compared with experimental observations. Calculations based on the “negative entropy” model in which interfacial tension scales with temperature predict that all metallic glasses which once attain atomic mobility at moderate temperatures should crystallize in minutes, contrary to observation. On the other hand, the calculations based on the “positive energy” model are more or less in harmony with the observed stability. It appears that a temperature independent contribution to the interfacial tension is necessary to account for the observed stability of many metallic glasses.