Crystallization of a Al–4Ni–6Ce glass and its influence on mechanical properties

The crystallization behaviour of a rapidly quenched, amorphous Al-4Ni-6Ce material has been examined during low temperature annealing, and shown to commence by the nucleation of nanoscale Al crystals, which stop growing once they reach a size of about 10 nm. In a subsequent, second phase of crystallization the dendritic Al crystals grow rapidly with the formation of a crystal-glass eutectic-like mixture. The nanoscale Al crystals lead to some hardening of the glass, but do not modify the good ductility of the material. Subsequent hardening and embrittlement of the glass-nanocrystal composite may depend on slight changes of the extent of crystallization or instead on changes occurring in the glass itself. © 2002 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.