The effect of Sn addition on the glass-forming ability of Cu–Ti–Zr–Ni–Si metallic glass alloys

The effect of Sn substitution for Ni on the glass-forming ability was studied in Cu47Ti33Zr11Ni8−xSnxSi1 (x=0,2,4,6,8) alloys by using thermal analysis and X-ray diffractometry. With increasing x from 0 to 8, the glass transition temperature, Tg, of melt-spun Cu47Ti33Zr11Ni8−xSnxSi1 alloys increased gradually from 720 to 737 K. On the other hand, the crystallization temperature, Tx, increased from 757 K at x=0 to 765 K at x=2, being nearly same with further increase of x. Partial substitution of Ni by Sn in Cu47Ti33Zr11Ni8Si1 promotes the glass formation. Both amorphous Cu47Ti33Zr11Ni8−xSnxSi1 alloys prepared by melt spinning and injection casting showed similar crystallization process during continuous heating in DSC. Temperature range of undercooled liquid region exhibits good correlation with the critical diameter for the formation of an amorphous phase in injection casting.