Cavitation erosion behaviour of Zr-based bulk metallic glasses

The cavitation erosion (CE) behaviour of four Zr-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) of general composition Zr–Al–CuNi(Co) was investigated by means of an ultrasonic vibration device and compared with that of S30431 austenitic stainless steel. The results show that the CE resistance of Zr-based BMGs, in terms of incubation time and maximum rate of erosion, is approximately 10 times higher than that of S30431 austenitic stainless steel. It was also found that a small addition of Co (3 at.%) decreases significantly the maximum rate of erosion of the Zr-based BMG investigated. Initial hardness of the Zr-based BMGs was found to be in a good correlation with their maximum cavitation erosion rates.