Oxide Formation in a Melt Spun Alloy in the Zr-Ni-Cu System

The microstructure of a melt-spun Zr28Ni44Cu28 (at. %) alloy was characterized in order to determine the structures and compositions crystalline phases that compete with glass formation during rapid solidification. Two were identified, namely, face centered cubic (FCC) zirconium oxide phase primitive version big-cube phase, using combination scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, diffraction, transmission microscopy techniques. Our results indicate Zr-O atomic pair interaction is preferential compared other possibilities, supporting Zr-based oxides over equilibrium ternary Zr-Ni-Cu system. Further, provide insight into mechanisms oxygen-induced crystallization BMGs corresponding decrease forming ability (GFA) increasing oxygen concentrations.