Zr-BASED AMORPHOUS ALLOY AND METHOD OF PREPARING THE SAME

Abstract

A Zr-based amorphous alloy and a method of preparing the same are provided. The Zr-based amorphous alloy is represented by the general formula of (Zr a M 1-a ) 100-x O x , in which a is an atomic fraction of Zr, and x is an atomic percent of O, in which: 0.3≦a≦0.9, and 0.02≦x≦0.6, and M may represent at least three elements selected from the group consisting of transition metals other than Zr, Group IIA metals, and Group IIIA metals in the Periodic Table of Elements.

1 . A Zr-based amorphous alloy having a formula of: (Zr a M 1-a ) 100-x O x , wherein:
 a is an atomic fraction of Zr, and x is an atomic percent of oxygen, in which: 0.3≦a≦0.9, and 0.02≦x≦0.6; and   M represents at least three elements selected from the group consisting of transition metals other than Zr, Group IIA metals, and Group IIIA metals .   
     
     
         2 . The Zr-based amorphous alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the Zr-based amorphous alloy has a crystalline phase of less than about 70% by volume based on the total volume of the Zr-based amorphous alloy; multiple dimension sizes with at least one dimension size less than about 5 mm; and a plastic strain of more than about 1%. 
     
     
         3 . The Zr-based amorphous alloy of  claim 2 , wherein the Zr-based amorphous alloy has a crystalline phase of less than about 37% by volume based on the total volume of the Zr-based amorphous alloy. 
     
     
         4 . The Zr-based amorphous alloy of  claim 2 , wherein the Zr-based amorphous alloy has multiple dimension sizes with at least one dimension size less than about 2 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The Zr-based amorphous alloy of  claim 1 , wherein: 0.4≦a≦0.7; 0.03≦x≦0.5; and M represents at least three elements selected from the group consisting of La series, Cu, Ag, Zn, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Be, and Al. 
     
     
         6 . A method comprising:
 mixing raw materials comprising Zr and M with a molar ratio of a:(1−a) to form a mixture;   heating the mixture to form a molten mixture;   casting and cold molding the molten mixture to form the Zr-based amorphous alloy of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the mixing, heating, and casting steps are performed under a protective gas or vacuum. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the protective gas is at least one gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and Group XVIII gases. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the cooling molding step is performed in a mold with a thermal conductivity ranging from about 10 W/m·K to about 400 W/m·K. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the cooling molding step is performed in a mold with a thermal conductivity ranging from about 30 W/m·K to about 200 W/m·K. 
     
     
         11  . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the casting step is performed under a casting temperature of about 100° C. above the melting temperature of the Zr-based amorphous alloy. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the casting step is performed under a casting temperature ranging from about 100° C. to about 500° C. above the melting temperature of the Zr-based amorphous alloy. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the Zr-based amorphous alloy has multiple dimension sizes with at least one dimension size less than about 2 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein:
 0.4≦a≦0.7;   0.3≦x≦0.5; and   M represents at least three elements selected from the group consisting of La series, Cu, Ag, Zn, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Be, and Al.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the cold molding is selected from the group consisting of: gravity casting, suction casting, spray casting and die casting.