The temperature field characteristics and amorphous formation ability during the continuous casting process of Zr-based bulk metallic glass

This study utilized FLUENT dynamic mesh simulation technology to simulate the temperature field distribution characteristics during the continuous casting (CC) process of 5 mm thick Zr_41.2Ti_13.8Cu_12.5Ni_10.0Be_22.5 (Vit1) bulk metallic glass (BMG), analyzed and discussed the amorphous forming ability of the Vit1 BMG plate prepared through CC. The results indicate that during the CC process, the temperature gradient and cooling rate of Vit1 BMG plate decrease with increasing distance from the cooling copper block surface and prolonged solidification time. Even at the lowest cooling rate, it still remains significantly higher than the critical cooling rate (<i>R</i> _c) of Vit1 bulk amorphous alloy. The temperature variations recorded by the thermocouple during the alloy melt solidification process are in basic agreement with the simulation data. The experimental test and simulation results show that 5 mm thick Vit1 BMG slab can be prepared theoretically by continuous casting technology. Finally, XRD, DSC and TEM were used to analyze the amorphous formation ability and microstructure of the Vit1 BMG slab.