Atomic-Scale Structural Evolution and Stability of Supercooled Liquid of a Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass
- Institute of Materials Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072 (China)
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Hong Kong)
- Department of Manufacturing Engineering and Engineering Management, City University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
In this Letter, direct experimental evidence is provided for understanding the thermal stability with respect to crystallization in the Zr{sub 41.2}Ti{sub 13.8}Cu{sub 12.5}Ni{sub 10}Be{sub 22.5} glass-forming liquid. Through high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, the atomic-structure evolution in the glass-forming liquid during the isothermal annealing process is clearly revealed. In contrast with the existing theoretical models, our results reveal that, prior to nanocrystallization, there exists a metastable state prone to forming icosahedralike atomic clusters, which impede the subsequent crystallization and hence stabilize the supercooled liquid. The outcome of the current research underpins the topological origin for the excellent thermal stability displayed by the Zr-based bulk metallic glass.
- OSTI ID:
- 21538378
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review Letters, Vol. 106, Issue 21; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.215505; (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 0031-9007
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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