Properties of $(TiZrNbCu)_{1-x}$$Ni_{x}$ Metallic Glasses

TL;DR

This study investigates how increasing Ni content in $(TiZrNbCu)_{1-x}Ni_{x}$ metallic glasses affects their atomic structure, thermal, magnetic, and elastic properties, revealing saturation behaviors linked to valence electron concentration.

Contribution

It extends the understanding of high entropy metallic glasses by analyzing properties up to x=0.5 and correlating changes with valence electron number, highlighting structural and property saturation points.

Findings

Short-range order changes at x≥0.35

Saturation of thermal and magnetic properties at x≥0.35

Correlation between valence electron concentration and property changes

Abstract

Recent studies (J. Alloys Compd. 695 (2017) 2661) of the electronic structure and properties of $(TiZrNbCu)_{1-x}$$Ni_{x}$ (x$\leq$0.25) amorphous high entropy alloys (a-HEA) have been extended to x=0.5 in order to compare behaviours of a-HEA and conventional Ni-base metallic glasses (MG). The amorphous state of all samples was verified by thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD indicated a probable change in local atomic arrangements, i.e. short-range-order (SRO) for x$\geq$0.35. Simultaneously, thermal parameters, such as the first crystallization temperature $T_{x}$ and the liquidus temperature showed a tendency to saturate for x$\geq$0.35 . The same tendency also appeared in the magnetic susceptibility $\chi_{exp}$ and the linear term in the low temperature specific heat {\gamma}. The Debye temperatures and Youngs moduli also tend to saturate for x$\geq$0.35. These unusual changes in SRO and all properties within the amorphous phase seem correlated with the change of valence electron number (VEC) on increasing x.