Crystallization of a Zr-based metallic glass produced by laser powder bed fusion and suction casting

The crystallization behaviour during low temperature annealing of samples the Zr59.3Cu28.8Al10.4Nb1.5 (at%) bulk metallic glass produced by suction casting and laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process were studied with small angle neutron scattering (SANS), X-ray diffraction scanning electron microscopy. in-situ SANS measurements isothermal reveals that phase separation in LPBF processed material proceeds at a smaller characteristic length-scale than cast material. Quantitative analysis data shows that, while both materials proceed through rapid nucleation followed diffusion limited growth, crystallizes cluster size higher rate. is attributed to elevated oxygen content which reduces barrier thus thermal stability.