Influence of additional elements on the development of nanoscale heterogeneities in (TiCu)-based bulk metallic glasses with enhanced ductility

The effect of additional elements on microstructure and mechanical properties of (TiCu)-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) has been systematically investigated. Based on the values of the heat of mixing between the additional elements and the major constituent elements Ti and Cu, small additions of elements having a positive heat of mixing with Cu and a negative heat of mixing with Ti are effective in forming nanoscale heterogeneities upon solidification and enhance the ductility. It is experimentally demonstrated that the selection of the minor elements in (TiCu)-based BMGs plays a crucial role to induce nanoscale heterogeneities and thus to control the deformation behavior of the bulk metallic glasses.