Compression of bulk metallic glass Zr_(57)Cu_(15.4)Ni_(12.6)Al_(10)Nb_5 to 122GPa

摘要

Ultra high pressure X-ray diffraction studies have been carried out on group IV transition metals-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) Zr_(57)Cu_(15.4)Ni_(12.6)Al_(10)Nb_5 to a pressure of 122 GPa at ambient temperature in a diamond anvil cell. Image plate X-ray diffraction studies under high pressure were carried out at a synchrotron source and the two BMG diffraction bands can be followed to the highest pressure using an internal copper pressure standard. Our experiments show that the BMG is stable to compression as high as 40% and thermal activation is needed to nucleate nanostructures/crystallization under extreme conditions. The fit to the Birch-Murnaghan equation of state gives bulk modulus (B_0) = 116 GPa and its pressure derivative B'=3.04. The measured differential radial distribution function shows gradual compression of the shell structures in the BMG to extreme compressions.