Fabrication of ZrCuAlNi metallic glassy matrix composite containing ZrO₂ particles by spark plasma sintering process

Using a mixed powder of argon gas-atomized Zr₅₅Cu ₃₀Al₁₀Ni₅ metallic glassy alloy powder blended with 10vol% ZrO₂ powder, Zr₅₅Cu₃₀Al ₁₀Ni₅ bulk metallic glassy matrix composite was fabricated by a spark plasma sintering process. The structure, thermal stability and mechanical properties of the sintered bulk metallic glassy matrix composite were investigated. The ZrO₂ particles were homogeneously dispersed in the Zr₅₅Cu₃₀Al₁₀Ni₅ glassy matrix. No crystallization of the glassy matrix occurred during the spark plasma sintering process. The crystallization behavior of the sintered composite was similar to that of the metallic glassy powder. The sintered composite specimen exhibited larger plastic ductility than that of the as-cast Zr₅₅Cu ₃₀Al₁₀Ni₅ glassy alloy rod specimen. The increase in the plastic ductility is proposed to originate from the structural inhomogeneity caused by the ZrO₂ ceramic particles.