Lindemann-like rule between average thermal expansion coefficient and glass transition temperature for metallic glasses

Abstract The correlations between the average linear thermal expansion coefficient and glass transition temperature Tg and between GVm (G is shear modulus and Vm is molar volume) and Tg for a variety of metallic glasses (MGs) were investigated. A Lindemann-like equation, ×Tg = 0.75 × 10−2, is observed, indicating that the glass transition of MGs follows Lindemann-like rule. The relationship provides a new perspective to understand the mechanism of glass transition and a simple method to predict Tg for a given MG. Additionally, Tg is found to vary linearly with GVm, implying that an inherent relevance between glass transition and plastic deformation of MGs.