Enhanced glass-forming ability and mechanical properties of Zr-Cu-Al amorphous alloys through Fe alloying

<p indent="0mm">This study prepared a series of Zr₆₀Cu_{35−<italic>x</italic>}Fe<italic>_x</italic>Al₅ (<italic>x</italic> = 0, 5, 10, 15) alloys, aiming to explore the effects of alloying elements with mutually exclusive interactions with compositional elements, such as Fe alloying, on the glass-forming ability, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of Zr-based amorphous alloys. The results indicate that the addition of an appropriate amount of Fe can enhance the glass-forming ability, thermal stability, and plastic deformation capability of the alloys. Among them, the Fe10 alloy shows the best performance, with a significant increase in glass-forming ability compared to the Fe0 alloy, an increase in plastic deformation at room temperature from 1% to 15%, and excellent self-passivation ability and higher self-corrosion potential in a 3.5% NaCl solution, indicating enhanced corrosion resistance. The study suggests that the addition of an appropriate amount of Fe can reduce the melting point of the alloy, thereby improving the glass-forming ability of Zr-based amorphous alloys. Additionally, appropriate Fe alloying can provide a suitable phase separation temperature range, which is beneficial for the formation of cast non-uniform microstructures, affecting the proliferation and expansion of shear bands, and thus enhancing the material’s room-temperature plasticity. The research provides a reference for the development of high-performance Zr-based amorphous alloys.