Fabrication and Characterization of Metallic Glassy Matrix Composite Reinforced with ZrO₂ Particulate by Spark Plasma Sintering Process

Summary

We have fabricated Zr₅₅Cu₃₀Al₁₀Ni₅ metallic glassy matrix composite by a spark plasma sintering process using a mixed powder of gas-atomized Zr₅₅Cu₃₀Al₁₀Ni₅ glassy alloy powders blended with 10 vol. % ZrO₂ powders. The structure, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the sintered bulk glassy matrix composite were investigated. The ZrO₂ particles were homogeneously dispersed in the Zr₅₅Cu₃₀Al₁₀Ni₅ glassy matrix. No crystallization of the glassy matrix occurred during the spark plasma sintering process. The crystallization behavior of the sintered glassy matrix composite was similar to that of the glassy alloy powder. The plastic ductility of the sintered Zr₅₅Cu₃₀Al₁₀Ni₅ glassy matrix composite was enhanced by adding the ZrO₂ particulates into the metallic glassy alloy. The improvement was originated from the structural inhomogeneity caused by the micro-particles inclusion.