Study of atoms arrangement in Zr-based bulk metallic glass structure

Zr-Cu-Ni-Al bulk metallic glass is an attractive alloy system for scientific research and engineering applications. Alloys from this system exhibit high strength, hardness, corrosion resistance and good glass forming ability which makes them useful in many applications. In order to successfully apply amorphous materials, it is necessary to characterize their structure and properties, which are mutually dependent. The mechanical properties of the Zr-based amorphous alloy are the result of its unique, disordered structure. In this experiment, amorphous alloy of desirable composition in the form of a plate with thickness of 2 mm was prepared by melting high purity Zr, Cu, Ni, Al elements and casting into a copper mould by applying an ejection pressure. The amorphousness of rapidly solidified Zr₅₅Cu₃₀Ni₅Al₁₀ plate was examined by X-ray diffraction and microscopic observation. These investigations revealed that the studied Zr-based sample was amorphous. Based on experimental X-ray data the pair distribution function was calculated and discussion on possible atoms arrangement was carried out.