Nanostructural control by additive Pd in cast Zr₅₀Cu ₄₀Al₁₀ glassy alloys with good fatigue properties

Relative value of free volume can be estimated by density measurement of bulk glassy alloys (BGAs) with the same shape. A Wohler curve of Zr ₅₀Cu₄₀Al₁₀BGAs indicates two drawbacks, one is low fatigue limit and another is significant decrease in fatigue strength in the cycle range of 10³ to 10⁴. However, these drawbacks can be improved by addition of Pd element, which can promote excess free volume and nano-network structure formation. Therefore, the Zr₅₀Cu ₃₇Al₁₀Pd₃ BGA indicates a significant increase of fatigue limit over 1 GPa.