Mechanical Properties of an Fe-Based SAM2×5-630 Metallic Glass Matrix Composite with Tungsten Particle Additions

Abstract

We present the role of tungsten additions on the mechanical properties of a Fe-based structural amorphous metal (SAM2×5-630) containing crystalline tungsten. Matrix cracking by microindentation is inhibited by the addition of tungsten and indicates that tungsten improves the fracture toughness. Response surfaces from nanoindentation arrays indicate that the hardness and modulus of the matrix phase are increased by tungsten additions. Bulk composites with 30 vol% tungsten subjected to 4-point flexure exhibited brittle fracture behavior and the characteristic strength and Weibull modulus were 165 and 8.7 MPa, respectively. The addition of tungsten did not cause devitrification of the matrix phase.