Role of rare-earth elements in glass formation of Al–Ca–Ni amorphous alloys

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 513; pp. 387 - 392
• Main Authors: Chen, Z.P., Gao, J.E., Wu, Y., Li, H.X., Wang, H., Lu, Z.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 05.02.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aluminum base alloys; Atom size difference; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Equations of state, phase equilibria, and phase transitions; Exact sciences and technology; Glass formation; Glass forming-ability; Glass transitions; Liquids; Liquidus; Optimization; Physics; Precipitation; Rare earth metals; RE elements; Specific phase transitions; Stability; Glass forming-ability; Atom size difference; RE elements; Nickel base alloys; Differential scanning calorimetry; Scanning electron microscopy; Impurity density; Liquidus; Amorphous alloy; Glass formation; Calcium alloys; Metallic glasses; Aluminium alloys; Rare earth additions; Chemical composition; Transition element alloys
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2011.10.054

► Effects of rare-earth elements on the glass forming-ability of Al-Ca-Ni system were investigated. ► The optimum doping content of all the four rare-earth elements was found to be 1%. ► Ytterbium is the most effective in improving the glass forming-ability of Al-Ca-Ni system. ► Atomic size difference between the rare-earth elements and Ca is the key factor in enhancing GFA. Effects of different rare-earth (RE) elements (i.e., Y, Ce, La and Yb) on the glass forming-ability (GFA) of Al–Ca–Ni alloy system were systematically investigated. The optimum addition content of all the four RE is 1 at.% and ytterbium is the most effective as far as the GFA is considered. Our analysis confirmed that proper additions of Yb could not only impede the formation of the competing α-Al clusters, but also enhance the liquid stability (i.e., lower the liquidus temperature). Although additions of Y, Ce and La in the Al 88Ca 7Ni 5 can also retard the α-Al precipitation, nevertheless, it seemed that their large atomic size difference with Ca could destabilize the original liquid stability (i.e., increase the liquidus temperature).