Consolidation of mechanically alloyed Cu-Zr-Ti metallic glass powders

In the present study, Cu₆₀Zr₃₀Ti₁₀ metallic glass powders were prepared by mechanical alloying of pure Cu, Zr, and Ti powder mixtures. Cu₆₀Zr₃₀Ti₁₀ metallic glass composite powders were obtained after 5 h of milling as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The metallic glass powders were found to exhibit a supercooled liquid region before crystallization. Cu₆₀Zr₃₀Ti₁₀ bulk metallic glass were synthesized by vacuum hot pressing the as-milled Cu₆₀Zr₃₀Ti₁₀ metallic glass powders at 723 K in the pressure range of 0.72 1.20 GPa. Cu₆₀Zr₃₀Ti₁₀ BMG with nanocrystalline precipitates homogeneously embedded in a highly dense glassy matrix was successfully prepared under applied pressures. It was found that the pressure could enhance the thermal stability and prolong the existence of amorphous phase inside Cu₆₀Zr₃₀Ti₁₀ powders.