Development and characterization of Ca–Mg–Zn–Cu bulk metallic glasses

A number of ternary Ca–Mg–Zn and Ca–Mg–Cu and quaternary Ca–Mg–Zn–Cu bulk metallic glasses were produced using recently developed specific criteria. Their glass forming ability was correlated to the alloy chemistry, melting temperature, and driving force for crystallization of super-cooled liquid. A structural assessment using the efficient cluster packing model was also applied and showed a good ability to represent these glasses. Glass transition temperature, crystallization temperature and heat of crystallization were also determined for the produced alloys. Compression tests were conducted on a quaternary alloy at room temperature and in the temperature range of super-cooled liquid.