Crystallization of a Al–4Ni–6Ce glass and its influence on mechanical properties Original Research Article

The crystallization behaviour of a rapidly quenched, amorphous Al–4Ni–6Ce material has been examined during low temperature annealing, and shown to commence by the nucleation of nanoscale Al crystals, which stop growing once they reach a size of about 10 nm. In a subsequent, second phase of crystallization the dendritic Al crystals grow rapidly with the formation of a crystal–glass eutectic-like mixture. The nanoscale Al crystals lead to some hardening of the glass, but do not modify the good ductility of the material. Subsequent hardening and embrittlement of the glass–nanocrystal composite may depend on slight changes of the extent of crystallization or instead on changes occurring in the glass itself.