Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welded joint of Zr46Cu46Al8 bulk metallic glass with pure aluminum

A 2 mm thick Zr46Cu46Al8 bulk metallic glass (BMG) plate and 4.5 mm thick pure aluminum plate were successfully joined by friction stir welding (FSW), and the defect-free BMG/Al joint is produced. Some BMG particles were stirred into the aluminum side in the stir zone and reacted with the Al to form the Al-rich phase. The residues of the BMG particles still maintained the amorphous structure. However, no crystallization and reaction layer are detected at the interface between the BMG and Al. The ultimate tensile strength of the joint is about 190 MPa, which reaches up to 92% of the pure aluminum matrix.