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Cryogenic treatment induced hardening for Cu-Zr-Ag-Al bulk metallic glasses

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Abstract

Little is known about the mechanical properties of bulk metallic glassy alloys (BMGs) after cryogenic treatment. In this study, the effects of cryogenic treatment (CT) on the microstructural transition and the mechanical properties of Cu-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) were studied. The results showed that submicron AlCu2Zr and Cu5Zr phases can precipitate from the Cu-Zr-Ag-Al matrix after 192 h CT. The formation of these nanometer-sized crystalline phases substantially enhanced the mechanical properties of the bulk amorphous alloy. The micro-hardness and the compressive strength were found to increase respectively from 501 HV and 1510 MPa to 595 HV and 1910 MPa after cryogenic treatment. CT is a promising approach to strengthening metal glasses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China

    ZhenHua Chen, LiKe Zhang, JiZi Liu & Ding Chen

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  1. ZhenHua Chen
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  2. LiKe Zhang
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  3. JiZi Liu
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  4. Ding Chen
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Correspondence to Ding Chen.

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Chen, Z., Zhang, L., Liu, J. et al. Cryogenic treatment induced hardening for Cu-Zr-Ag-Al bulk metallic glasses. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 56, 637–641 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-012-5107-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-012-5107-z

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