Crystallization path and non-isothermal kinetics of the Zr59.5Cu14.4Ni11.6Al9.7Nb4.8 metallic glass under different heating rates

Abstract

In this work, the crystallization path and non-isothermal kinetics upon heating of the Zr_59.5Cu_14.4Ni_11.6Al_9.7Nb_4.8 metallic glass were investigated. The devitrification process consists the formation of phases in the sequence of icosahedral quasicrystal (IQ) phase, Ni-containing phases, and Cu-containing phases. Avrami exponents were calculated at various heating rates, providing insights into the non-isothermal crystallization kinetics. The IQ phase and Ni-containing phases are interface-controlled growth, while the Cu-containing phases are diffusion-controlled growth. In addition, a continuous heating transition (CHT) diagram with a heating rate range exceeding six orders of magnitude was constructed, and the crystallization mechanism under different heating rates was revealed. These findings enrich the understanding of crystallization path and kinetics of metallic glass.