Influence of minor Si addition on the glass-forming ability and mechanical properties of Pd40Ni40P20 alloy

Abstract The influence of a minor Si addition on the glass-forming ability and mechanical properties of Pd40Ni40P20 alloy was investigated. It is suggested that the minor Si addition can adjust the composition to be closer to eutectic, which favors a large undercooling. Furthermore, Si addition led to an enhancement in the ductility of Pd–Ni–P bulk metallic glasses. Simultaneously it is of great interest that there are nanoscale and microscale wavy steps observed on the fracture surface of Pd40Ni40Si4P16 metallic glass. It is suggested that a quickly running crack dissipates excess energy in terms of stress wave, leaving such wavy traces on the fracture surface of the deformed Pd-based metallic glass.