Influence of minor Si addition on the glass-forming ability and mechanical properties of Pd₄₀Ni₄₀P₂₀ alloy

The influence of a minor Si addition on the glass-forming ability and mechanical properties of Pd₄₀Ni₄₀P₂₀ alloy was investigated. It is suggested that the minor Si addition can adjust the composition to be closer to eutectic, which favors a large undercooling. Furthermore, Si addition led to an enhancement in the ductility of Pd-Ni-P bulk metallic glasses. Simultaneously it is of great interest that there are nanoscale and microscale wavy steps observed on the fracture surface of Pd₄₀Ni₄₀Si₄P₁₆ metallic glass. It is suggested that a quickly running crack dissipates excess energy in terms of stress wave, leaving such wavy traces on the fracture surface of the deformed Pd-based metallic glass.