Multiple maxima of GFA in three adjacent eutectics in Zr–Cu–Al alloy system – A metallographic way to pinpoint the best glass forming alloys

Abstract We demonstrate that the three best glass forming alloys up to 8 mm in diameter are obtained by copper mold casting system in three adjacent eutectics in the Zr–Cu–Al alloy system via a metallographic approach. The narrow bulk glass forming range was found to require composition pinpointing to 1 at.% and a phase selection concept is developed to explain the success of our microstructure-based approach to pinpoint the best glass former in a given system. The significance of this method in discovering new BMGs is discussed.