Fabrication of Mg65Cu25Y10 bulk metallic glasses

Purpose: The paper describes the preparation, structure and thermal properties of Mg-based bulk metallic glass with chemical composition of Mg65Cu25Y10 in form of as-cast rods. Design/methodology/approach: The investigations on the Mg65Cu25Y10 glassy rods were conducted by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods. Findings: The X-ray diffraction investigations have revealed that the studied as-cast rod was amorphous. The DSC curve informs about the single stage of crystallization process. The onset crystallization temperature has a value of Tx = 463 K and peak crystallization temperature reaches a value of Tp = 480 K. The fractures of studied alloy could be classified as mixed fracture with indicated “river” and “smooth” fractures. Both type of the fracture surfaces consist of weakly formed “river” and “shell” patterns and “smooth” regions. The “river” patterns are characteristic for metallic glassy alloys. Practical implications: The studied Mg-based bulk metallic glasses are applied for many applications in different elements. Mg-based bulk metallic glasses have much higher tensile strength and Vickers hardness and much lower Young’s modulus in contrast to crystalline magnesium alloys. Magnesium alloys are very attractive for transport and aerospace applications because they are the lightest among the commercially available structural alloys and show excellent damping capacity. Originality/value: Fabrication of amorphous alloy rod Mg65Cu25Y10 by pressure die casting method.