Thermal diffusivity of Zr-based bulk glass alloys in the liquid state

Abstract

Thermal diffusivity of three alloys of Zr55Al 10Ni5Cu30, Zr60Al 15Ni25 and Zr65Al7.5Cu 27.5 has been measured in the liquid state with a laser flash technique. The thermal diffusivity values of three Zr-based alloys in the liquid state are summarized in the linear equations with positive temperature dependency. The lower the thermal diffusivity values of Zr-based alloys at liquidus temperature, the lower the critical cooling rate to produce metallic glass phase becomes. The measured thermal diffusivity was compared with the value for Pd-based metallic glass. The results indicate that critical cooling rate to obtain metallic glass phase could be an increasing function of thermal diffusivity for each alloy system. © 2007 The Japan Institute of Metals.