Study on fabrication of bulk metallic glassy composites by horizontal continuous casting method

For developing bulk metallic glasses or glassy composites efficiently with high strength and low cost, Zr55Cu30Ni5Al10, (Cu47Zr45Al8)96Y4 and Cu40Zr50Al10 alloys rods and plates have been studied by horizontal continuous casting (HCC) method. Numerical simulation technique has been applied for investigating the solidification processes of the molten alloys in the water cold graphite-copper mould. The optimum withdrawal procedures have also been discussed for the fabrication of metallic glassy composite rod and plate in the HCC process. Experimental results indicated that Zr–Cu-based bulk metallic glassy composites without length limitation could be successfully fabricated by this method. The (Cu47Zr45Al8)96Y4 rod sample with 10 mm in diameter exhibited high fracture strength of 1.58 GPa and good superplastic deformation ability in the supercooled liquid region. •Zr–Cu-based bulk metallic glassy composites were successfully fabricated by continuous casting method.•The solidification process of the molten alloys in the composite mould was studied.•Optimum withdrawal procedure for fabricating BMGs composites in HCC process was discussed.•High strength and good superplastic deformation ability could be obtained for (Cu47Zr45A18)96Y4 rod with HCC method.