Prediction of glass forming compositions in Al-Fe-Si alloy system by thermodynamic approach

Abstract In the present work, a thermodynamic approach based on the isometric contour is used successfully in identifying the glass forming compositions in Al-Fe-Si alloy system. Thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy of chemical mixing (∆  H chem ), mismatch entropy normalized by Boltzmann's constant ( S σ / k B ), configurational entropy normalized by Universal gas constant ( S c / R ) are used for the prediction of glass forming compositions with P HS (product of ∆  H chem with S σ / k B ) and P HSS (product of P HS with S c / R ). Total 51 compositions are identified from isometric contour. Based on the high negative value of P HSS ten best glass forming compositions are identified. Obtained results are compared with earlier studies in Al-Fe-Si and Al-TM-RE system. A linear relationship is observed between P HS and P HSS . With increasing Al content, it is observed that P HSS decreases linearly. Furthermore, it is found that tendency of variation in individual thermodynamic parameter ∆  H chem with S σ / k B is not acceptable approach in Al-Fe-Si system, to predict compositions in designing BMGs. Therefore, P HSS is found to be more decisive parameters when compared with other parameters for the prediction of glass forming compositions in Al-Fe-Si alloy system.