Amorphous alloys having zirconium and relating methods

Abstract

Alloys and methods for preparing the same are provided. The alloys are represented by the general formula of Zr a Al b Cu c Ni d ) 100-e-f Y e M f , wherein a, b, c, and d are atomic fractions, in which: 0.472≦a≦0.568; 0.09≦b≦0.11; 0.27≦c≦0.33; 0.072≦d≦0.088; the sum of a, b, c, and d equals 1; e and f are atomic numbers of elements Y and M respectively, in which 0≦e≦5 and 0.01≦f≦5; and M is selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta, Sc, and combinations thereof.

1 . An alloy represented by the general formula of:
   (Zr a Al b Cu c Ni d ) 100-e-f Y e M f      wherein a, b, c, and d are atomic fractions, in which 0.472≦a≦0.568; 0.09≦b≦0.11; 0.27≦c≦0.33; 0.072≦d≦0.088, and the sum of a, b, c, and d equals to 1;   e and f are atomic numbers of elements Y and M respectively, in which 0≦e≦5, and 0.01≦f≦5; and   M is selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta, Sc, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The alloy of  claim 1 , wherein 0.01≦e≦5 and 0.05≦f≦2. 
     
     
         3 . The alloy of  claim 1 , wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Sc, the combination of Sc and Nb, the combination of Sc and Ta, and the combination of Sc, Nb, and Ta. 
     
     
         4 . The alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the atomic ratio of Sc to Nb ranges from about  1:from about  0.1 to about 5, the atomic ratio of Sc to Ta ranges from about 1:from about 0.1 to about 5, and the atomic ratio of Sc:Nb:Ta ranges from about 1:from about 0.1 to about 5:from about 0.1 to about 10. 
     
     
         5 . The alloy of  claim 1 , further comprising: a metal impurity with an atomic percent of less than about 5 wt % and a non-metal impurity with an atomic percent of less than about 1 wt %, based on the total weight of the alloy. 
     
     
         6 . The alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy is in a crystalline phase and has a volume percent of about 12%, based on the total volume of the alloy. 
     
     
         7 . The alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has a critical size of more than about 3 millimeters. 
     
     
         8 . The alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has an oxygen content of less than about 3000 parts per million. 
     
     
         9 . The alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has an amorphous phase of more than about 95% by volume, a critical size of more than about 10 millimeters, a bending strength of more than about 2,300 MPa, and am impact toughness of more than about 140 MJ/m 2 . 
     
     
         10 . A method of preparing an alloy, comprising:
 melting raw materials comprising Zr, Al, Cu, Ni, M, and optionally Y, to form a melted alloy; and   molding the melted alloy with cooling to form an alloy represented by the general formula of (Zr a Al b Cu c Ni d ) 100-e-f Y e M f ; wherein a, b, c, and d are atomic fractions, in which 0.472≦a≦0.568; 0.09≦b≦0.11; 0.27≦c≦0.33; 0.072≦d≦0.088, and the sum of a, b, c, and d equals to 1; e and f are atomic numbers of elements Y and M respectively, in which 0≦e≦5, and 0.01≦f≦5; and M is selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta, Sc, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  performed under a vacuum or in the presence of an inert gas. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the vacuum degree is less than about 1,000 Pa. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein 0.01≦e≦5 and 0.05≦f≦2. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein M is selected from the group consisting of: Sc, the combination of Sc and Nb, the combination of Sc and Ta, and the combination of Sc, Nb and Ta. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the atomic ratio of Sc to Nb ranges from about 1:from about 0.1 to about 5, the atomic ratio of Sc to Ta ranges from about 1:from about 0.1 to about 5, and the atomic ratio of Sc:Nb:Ta ranges from about 1:from about 0.1 to about 5:from about 0.1 to about 10. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the raw materials of the alloy have a purity ranging from about 98 wt % to about 100 wt %. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the alloy further comprises: a metal impurity with an atomic percent of less than about 5 wt % and a non-metal impurity with an atomic percent of less than about 1 wt %, based on the total weight of the alloy. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the alloy is in a crystalline phase and has a volume percent of about 12%, based on the total volume of the alloy. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the alloy has a critical size of more than about 3 millimeters. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the alloy has an oxygen content of less than about 3000 parts per million. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the inert gas is selected from the group consisting of helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, radon, and combinations thereof.