Role of nanometer-scale quasicrystals in improving the mechanical behavior of Ti-based bulk metallic glasses

The effect of the precipitation of nanosized quasicrystals on the mechanical properties of Ti-Zr-Cu-Ni-Be bulk metallic glasses (BMG) has been investigated. The Ti40Zr29Cu8Ni7Be16 BMG crystallizes by forming a few nanometer-size quasicrystals in the amorphous matrix, enabling the fabrication of quasicrystal-reinforced BMG matrix composites. Simultaneous improvement of strength and ductility can be obtained when 3-5-nm-size quasicrystals are isolated and homogeneously distributed in an amorphous matrix. The fracture strength and global strain, respectively, increase from 1921 MPa and 5.1% for as-cast BMG to 2084 MPa and 6.2% for partially crystallized BMG with the volume fraction of similar to7% quasicrystals. These improvements may be attributed to the structural similarity between quasicrystalline and amorphous phases. Stable low-energy interface between two phases may act as a source for multiple-shear-band formation. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.