Nanocrystallization and high tensile strength of amorphous Zr-Al-Ni-Cu-Ag alloys

The influence of the addition of Ag to the crystallization and mechanical properties of the amorphous Zr65Al7.5Ni10Cu17.5-xAgx (x=5, 10 at.%) alloys was investigated. It was found that crystallization takes place through the two-stage process of Am→Am'+icosahedral→phase Zr2Cu+Zr2Ni+Zr2Al3. The icosahedral particles have a spherical morphology and their sizes range from 10 to 100nm. With the increase in the amount of Ag, thermal instability increases through the simultaneous decrease ofTx and ΔTx. The σf increases significantly from 1560 MPa at 0%Vf to 2120 MPa at 62%Vf for the 10% Ag alloy.