Glass forming ability and microstructure of Zr–Ti–Ni–Cu–Al and Zr–Ti–Ni–Cu–Ag melt spun ribbons

Melt spun ribbons prepared from the alloys (in at.%) Zr–Ti (25–22)–Ni(24–19)–Cu(14–10) with additions of 8 and 10% Al and 10, 11 and 13% of Ag were investigated. By the addition of 10 at.% Al was allowed to completely form a ribbon in the amorphous state. Modification of composition of quaternary alloy Zr–Ti25–Ni21–Cu14.5 with different Al content resulted in an increase of the glass transition, onset of crystallization and liquidus temperatures. The temperature ratio Tg/Tl decreased. Modification of the quaternary alloy composition with addition of 10–1 3at.% Ag and a decrease of Zr content resulted in an increased tendency for nanocrystallization. HREM observations and EDS analysis allowed us to identify nanoprecipitates as a Ag-based solid solution. This type of precipitates were observed in all Ag-containing ribbons. In comparison with the base ZrTiNiCu alloy, Ag-containing alloys possessed higher Tgand Tx temperatures and relatively high Tg/Tl value.