On the origin of bulk glass forming ability in Cu-Hf, Zr alloys

TL;DR

This study reveals a correlation between magnetic susceptibility differences and glass forming ability in Cu-Hf alloys, offering a potential criterion for selecting compositions with high GFA applicable to other transition metal alloys.

Contribution

It introduces a simple, general correlation between magnetic susceptibility differences and GFA, aiding in the selection of bulk metallic glass compositions.

Findings

Correlation between magnetic susceptibility difference and GFA in Cu-Hf alloys

Similar correlation observed in Cu-Zr alloys, suggesting generality

Provides a simple criterion for high GFA alloy selection

Abstract

Understanding the formation of bulk metallic glasses (BMG) in metallic systems and finding a reliable criterion for selection of BMG compositions are among the most important issues in condensed matter physics and material science. Using the results of magnetic susceptibility measurements performed on both amorphous and crystallized Cu-Hf alloys (30-70 at% Cu) we find a correlation between the difference in magnetic susceptibilities of corresponding glassy and crystalline alloys and the variation in the glass forming ability (GFA) in these alloys. Since the same correlation can be inferred from data for the properties associated with the electronic structure of Cu-Zr alloys, it seems quite general and may apply to other glassy alloys based on early and late transition metals. This correlation is plausible from the free energy considerations and provides a simple way to select the compositions with high GFA.