Glass formation in high-energy ball milled Tix(Cu0.45Ni0.55)94−xSi4B2 alloys

Prealloyed powders with the nominal composition of Tix(Cu0.45Ni0.55)94−xSi4B2 (x=50, 60, 70, 75 and 80) were subject to a high-energy ball milling. Phase formation in the final products was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In the composition range of 50≤x≤70, the formation of amorphous phase was predominant, but the residual α-Ti nanocrystals still remained in the milled powders. When the Ti content exceeded 70%, the milling only led to crystallite refinement to form the nanograined α-Ti and other phases. The crystallization behavior of the amorphous phases with different Ti content is significantly concentration-dependent. Also, the element Ti in the two alloys of x=70 and x=75 was substituted with the elements V, Zr and Nb of 2 at.%, but such a substitution has little effect on extending the glass-forming range of the milled products.