Tailoring the glass forming ability, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Cu–Zr–Al bulk metallic glasses by yttrium addition

Abstract

The effect of yttrium (Y) on the glass-forming ability (GFA), mechanical properties and corrosion of (Cu50Zr43Al7)100-xYx (x = 0, 2 and 4, in at. %) alloys was investigated. The GFA of Cu50Zr43Al7 alloy was improved by the addition of Y, with a GFA of 15 mm in diameter being obtained for (Cu50Zr43Al7)98Y2. In uniaxial compression, the bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) exhibited a limited plastic strain of less than 1%, however compressive fracture strength and Young's modulus of 1787–2006 MPa and 101–122 GPa were achieved, respectively. Fracture surfaces and shear bands were studied via scanning electron microscopy. The corrosion behavior of BMGs was analyzed by potentiodynamic polarization experiments and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in acidic chloride (1 M HCl) and neutral chloride (0.6 M NaCl) environments. As a result of the Y addition, the corrosion resistance of the base BMG was improved. Show more