Microstructural evolution during annealing and rolling Zr52.5Cu17.9Ni14.6Al10Ti5 bulk metallic glass

The microstructural evolution of the Zr52.5Cu17.9Ni14.6Al10Ti5 bulk metallic glass during annealing and rolling deformation was studied. After annealing at 680 K for 0.5 h, phase separation is observed, and nanocrystallization is further induced by the subsequent rolling deformation. Increasing annealing time to 1.5 h leads to the formation of both nanocrystals and large-size particles of the Zr–Cu fcc phase. After rolling, the volume fraction of nanocrystals increases slightly while the Zr–Cu particles disappear. The presence of phase separation and nanocrystals during annealing reduce the thermal stability of the glass and accelerate the subsequent crystallization driven by rolling. During rolling the two annealed specimens exhibit the good ductility.