Remarkable relation between melting entropy and kinetic viscosity in metallic glasses

There has been so far no consensus regarding the roles of melting entropy on glass formation. For this purpose, a study has been conducted on three compositions of the pseudo-binary alloys, Zr2Ni-Ti2Ni, viz., the eutectic compositions (Zr2Ni)0.206(Ti2Ni)0.794, (Zr2Ni)0.654(Ti2Ni)0.346, and the Laves compound (Zr2Ni)0.44(Ti2Ni)0.56. The study results of melting entropies, melting viscosities, and glass formabilities of the alloys unequivocally shows the fact that low melting entropy and high melting viscosity facilitate glass formation. From the data of different classes of systems, a unique relationship between melting entropy and melting viscosity has arisen in glass forming systems, which highlights the positive roles of low melting entropy on glass formation from a special perspective. This study of thermodynamics, kinetics, and glass formation highly suggests the melting entropy should be taken as a crucial reference for designing metallic glasses. •This study unequivocally shows the fact that low melting entropy and high melting viscosity facilitate glass formation.•This study reveals a correlation between melting entropy and melting viscosity for glass forming systems.•This study suggests melting entropy should be taken as a crucial reference for designing metallic glasses.