Design and characterization of novel Zr-based metallic glasses with nanoscale phase separation

TMS 2025, 154th Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada USA, March 23-27, 2025 (Presented by a co-author, P Ramasamy). The structure and physical properties of phase separated metallic glasses (MGs) have characteristics different from those of other MGs. The preparation of phase-separated MGs offers 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. The glasses exhibit a typical liquid phase separation-induced two-glassy phase with droplet-like microstructures in the form of nano-amorphous domains. The microstructural evolution arising due to phase separation in these alloys is confirmed by a combination of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) analysis. The formation of nanometer size clusters in these glasses is confirmed by APT. The Zr-based MGs exhibited Young’s moduli in the range of 81-91 GPa, which is lower than that of Co-Cr-Mo, 316L SS and Ti-6Al-4V commercial implant alloys.