Formation and Mechanical Properties of Bulk Glassy (Cu0.55Zr0.40Al0.05)99RE1 (RE=Y, Pr, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) Alloys

Glass-forming ability and mechanical properties of bulk glassy (Cu0.55Zr0.40Al0.05)99RE1 (RE=Y, Pr, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) alloys were systematically studied. It is found that the minor addition of rare earth elements greatly improves the glass-forming ability of the studied Cu-based alloys. Critical diameter for glass formation is 3 mm for Cu55Zr40Al5 alloy and increases to 4 or 5 mm with the addition of 1 at% RE. These RE doped Cu-based glassy alloys exhibit relatively wide supercooled liquid region of 50–70 K, as well as high fracture strength of about 1900–2100 MPa.