The curvature of amorphous metallic ribbons interpreted with a homogeneous quenching model

Abstract

To explain the curvature of metallic ribbons obtained by quenching techniques, a model is developed in terms of isothermal planar layers, and a well defined solidification plane. Both the cooling rate and the thermal gradient are taken to be constant. Assuming that the ribbon can shrink but not bend during solidification, the resulting curvature is calculated, and is found to equal the thermal gradient multiplied by the linear thermal expansion coefficient. The obtained values compare well with the experimental data. The case of a non-constant thermal gradient is also considered, from a qualitative point of view.