Successful Electron-Beam Welding of Bulk Metallic Glass

Abstract

We have tried an electron beam welding of a Zr₄₁Ti₁₄Cu₁₂Ni₁₀Be₂₃ (at%) bulk metallic glass plate that has an excellent glass forming ability and a thermally stable supercooled liquid. We have for the first time succeeded in the electron-beam welding of the bulk metallic glass plate with a thickness of 3.5 mm. No crystallization was observed in the bead and heat-affected zone. No visible defect or crack was recognized around the bead and heat-affected zone. The tensile strength of the welded bulk metallic glass was the same as that of the parent bulk metallic glass. The successful condition of the electron-beam welding was an electron acceleration voltage of 60 kV, beam currents of 15 to 20 mA and a scanning velocity of 33 mm/s.