Mg-based bulk metallic glass composite containing in situ microsized quasicrystalline particles

A novel in situ forming Mg 66 Zn 29 Ca 4 Y 1 composite comprising microsized icosahedral quasicrystal phase (I-phase) particles dispersed within a Mg-based metallic glass matrix was synthesized. The size and volume fraction of the I-phase particles are ∼25–35 μm and ∼10%, respectively. The I-phase particles can noticeably improve both the strength and plasticity of the composite. The mechanism of the hard I-phase particles on the deformation and fracture behaviors of the composite and the synthesis strategy of the composite are discussed.