Bulk glass formation in ternary Cu-Zr-Ti system

The formation of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) in ternary Cu-Zr-Ti system was investigated by a copper mold casting method. The nature of the amorphous phase was verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was demonstrated that the BMGs could be formed in a broad composition range in this system. Cu₅₀Zr_42.5Ti_7.5, Cu₆₀Zr_27.5Ti_12.5, Cu₆₀Zr₃₀Ti₁₀ and Cu₆₀Zr_32.5Ti_7.5 alloys exhibit strong glass-forming ability (GFA), and fully glassy rods of 5 mm in diameter can be obtained. In the center region of the ternary diagram, however, the GFA of the alloys was degraded due to the presence of Laves phase. The degradation of the GFA results from easy nucleation of the Laves phase in the undercooled liquid.