The Effect of Oxygen Content on the Glass Forming Ability and Mechanical Properties of the Zr-based Amorphous Alloy Return Scrap

Abstract

Commercial Zr-based amorphous alloy was recycled and oxygen was introduced during the recycling process. The oxygen content can have a great effect on the glass forming ability and the mechanical properties of the alloy. Therefore, it was closely examined. The initial oxygen content in the raw material was 1,244 ppm. It was increased to 3,789 ppm in the alloy after ten recycling processes. As the recycling processes were repeated, the oxygen content increased. Specifically, after four recycling processes, it increased sharply as compared to that after three recycling processes. After ten recycling processes, the glass transition temperature (Tg) increased from 613 K to 634 K and the crystallization temperature (Tx) increased from 696 K to 706 K. On the other hand, the super-cooled liquid region () decreased slightly from 83 K to 72 K while the reduced glass transition temperature (Trg = Tg/Tm) was 0.63, remaining constant even when the oxygen content was increased. These results indicated that the increased oxygen content deteriorated the glass forming ability. The bending strength as determined in a three-point bending test showed a sharp decrease from 3,055 to 2,062 MPa as the oxygen content was increased from 1,244 ppm to 3,789 ppm; the extension was also decreased from 3.02 to 1.74 mm. These findings meant that the alloy became brittle.