Design and characterization of novel Zr-Al-Fe-Y metallic glasses with nanoscale phase separation

(Oral talk at the MSE 2024 conference in Darmstadt, Germany, September 2024) Research on phase separation in metallic glasses (MGs) is motivated by a fundamental interest in the structure and properties of disordered materials and their potential for structural and functional applications. The structure and physical properties of phase separated MGs have characteristics different from those of other MGs. Recent reports have demonstrated successful achievements in the preparation of phase-separated MGs, which offer a unique opportunity to design composites or alloys with hierarchical microstructures at different length scales. In this presentation, we will discuss the results of our recent research work on the design of new Zr-based MG composition with nanoscale phase separation for future biocompatible applications. The microstructure and thermal property analysis indicate that the glasses exhibit a typical liquid phase separation-induced two-glassy phase with droplet-like microstructures in the form of nano-amorphous domains. The microstructure of phase separated nano-amorphous domains has been confirmed by sophisticated experimental characterization techniques including transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT). The spatial atomic distribution analysis by APT revealed discontinuities for the main elements and the formation of nanometer size clusters suggesting the occurrence of phase separation in these glasses.