Development of W-reinforced Zr-based metallic glass

Abstract

In order to improve the mechanical properties of Zr55Al 10Ni5Cu30 metallic glass, tungsten-reinforced Zr55Al10Ni5Cu30 was developed. Tungsten particles with a diameter φ=100 μrn were uniformly distributed into the matrix, exhibiting good wettability with the Zr55Al 10Ni5Cu30 metallic glass matrix. Due to the extremely high melting temperature of tungsten, the tungsten particles coexisted with amorphous Zr55Al10Ni5Cu30, although a reaction layer of ZrW2 and a crystallized matrix formed to a certain extent depending on the sample. Nevertheless, the total amount of crystallization in both the matrix and the reaction phases remained small. As the volume fraction of W was increased from 0 to 8.7%, the plastic strain increased from 0 to 1.3%, and the fracture strength increased from 1480 to 1870MPa. The coefficient of thermal expansion of monolithic Zr 55Al10Ni5Cu30 decreased from 10.4 × 10-6 K-1 to 8.2 × 10-6 K -1 in the case of the composite containing 30% W powder. © 2009 The Japan Institute of Metals.