Phase separation before crystallization in Zr–Ti–Cu–Ni–Be bulk metallic glasses: influence of the chemical composition

When heated at high temperature, crystallization can be observed in bulk metallic glasses. In amorphous Zr-Ti-Cu-Ni-Be alloys, depending on heating conditions and composition of the alloy, a decomposition phenomenon can sometimes take place before the formation of a crystalline phase (e.g. in Vit1 (Z(r41.2)Ni(10)Ti(13.8)Cu(12.5)Be(22.5) (at.%))) or crystallization can be initiated directly from the amorphous matrix (e.g. in Vit4 (Zr46.75Ti8.25Cu7.5Ni10Be27.5 (at.%))). The increase of the Be content from Vit1 to Vit4 enables the formation of a quasi-crystalline phase.