Strain-driven solid state amorphization of binary transition metal alloys☆

Abstract We have observed that certain metastable crystalline phases of binary transition metal alloys spontaneously vitrify on low temperature annealing without long-range mass transport. The characteristic features of this process are summarized. In general, spontaneous vitrification cannot be understood thermodynamically unless the amorphous phase is assumed to be considerably more stable than the linearly extrapolated high temperature liquid. The relationships between the techniques of spontaneous vitrification, codeposition and chemically driven solid state amorphization are discussed.