Compositional dependence of glass-forming ability, mechanical and magnetic properties of Ce-Ni-Al (Ga) alloys

The glass-forming ability, mechanical and magnetic properties of Ce 60 Ni 25 Al 15- x Ga x ( x =0, 4, 8 and 15) melt-spun alloys have been investigated. All the alloys show the formation of glassy phase. The supercooled liquid region increases with increase in Ga addition and becomes maximum for x =15 indicating its better glass-forming ability for this composition. A new metallic glass (MG) composition Ce 60 Ni 25 Ga 15 has been found upon complete substitution of Al by Ga. The mechanical behavior of these alloys has been studied by determining various indentation parameters such as micro-hardness, yield strength and Meyer’s exponent. The microhardness property of the Ce-Ni-Al alloy is improved by the addition of Ga. The difference in the formation of shear bands for x =0 and 15 alloys are discussed by estimating the pile-up parameter. The magnetization (M-H) curves of all the samples at 5 K show paramagnetic characteristics with no magnetic hysteresis. The findings reveal that the concentration of Ga has a significant impact on the properties of these alloys. • Supercooled liquid region increases with Ga addition, indicating better GFA. • A new MG composition Ce 60 Ni 25 Ga 15 has been found with complete substitution of Al by Ga. • Mechanical behavior parameters (micro-hardness, yield strength, pile up etc. ) are calculated and compared. • Formation of shear bands around the indentation periphery has been observed. • The magnetization curves of the glassy alloys at 5 K shows paramagnetic characteristics.