Fabrication of tungsten-based metallic glasses by low purity industrial raw materials

Quaternary W30Fe38B32−xCx (x = 5, 7, 10, 13, 15 at.%) alloys have been investigated by melt-spinning method to produce metallic glasses using low purity industrial raw materials. The phase structure of these ribbons is investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The thermal stabilities of W30Fe38B32−xCx (x = 5, 7, 10, 13, 15 at.%) alloys are analyzed by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). It is found that W30Fe38B22C10 metallic glass with 45 μm in thickness and 2 mm width can be successfully fabricated. And other alloys with the same thickness and width as W30Fe38B22C10 alloy are observed with some crystalline peaks on the halo patterns. The DSC measurements show that each alloy undergoes a two-step crystallization with the onset temperature of the first crystallization being as high as 984–1067 K. Vickers hardness and density values of W30Fe38B32−xCx (x = 7, 10, 13, 15 at.%) alloys at room temperature are 11.9–12.8 GPa and 14.5 g/cm3 at least, respectively. The effect of C addition on GFA in the W–Fe–B alloy system is discussed.