Preparation and mechanical properties of a composite by glass-forming alloy bonding aluminum oxide

Abstract A Cu47Zr47Al6/Al2O3 metallic glass composite is fabricated by the suction casting method. The Al2O3 particles are mixed equally into the Cu47Zr47Al6 amorphous alloy matrix during both the melting and cooling processes. The amorphous structure of Cu47Zr47Al6 metallic glass can be retained with no other intermetallic compounds were produced during the preparation process. The composite has excellent plasticity and undergoes work hardening, which is significantly increased when compared to the Cu47Zr47Al6 amorphous alloy. The introduction of Al2O3 particles leads to structural inhomogeneity, which results in the accretion and obstruction of shear bands during the deformation process. Bonding Al2O3 particles using an amorphous alloy is a good approach to improve the plasticity of metallic glass.