Development of W-Reinforced Zr-Based Metallic Glass

Abstract

In order to improve the mechanical properties of Zr₅₅Al₁₀Ni₅Cu₃₀ metallic glass, tungsten-reinforced Zr₅₅Al₁₀Ni₅Cu₃₀ was developed. Tungsten particles with a diameter φ=100 μm were uniformly distributed into the matrix, exhibiting good wettability with the Zr₅₅Al₁₀Ni₅Cu₃₀ 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 1870 MPa. The coefficient of thermal expansion of monolithic Zr₅₅Al₁₀Ni₅Cu₃₀ 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.