非晶材料与物理近期研究进展

由于结合了金属和玻璃的特性,非晶合金表现出许多新奇和优异的力学和物理性质,在很多领域具有广泛的应用前景.非晶合金具有连续可调的成分、简单无序的原子结构、丰富多变的材料性质,为研究非晶态物理中的许多共性科学问题提供了理想的模型材料.块体非晶合金的发展更是将玻璃和液体及其相关科学问题的研究推进到凝聚态物理和材料科学的研究前沿.中国科学院物理研究所极端条件物理重点实验室亚稳材料合成、结构及性能研究组(EX4组)近二十年来一直致力于非晶材料和物理的研究,在新型非晶合金的制备、物性以及相关机理的研究上取得了许多重要成果.本文介绍团队最近在非晶材料和物理机理方面取得的研究成果,包括非晶合金的动力学行为和调控、非晶合金的表面动力学、功能应用以及材料探索新方法等.     

基于分数阶流变模型的铁基块体非晶合金黏弹性行为研究

采用分数阶黏弹单元替代经典模型中的黏壶, 结合非晶合金在外加载荷作用下的微观结构演化, 建立了以分数阶微积分表示的非晶合金黏弹性本构模型. 并根据Hertz弹性理论及分数阶黏弹性本构模型, 推导了块体非晶合金在纳米压痕球形压头下的位移与载荷及时间关系式. 基于推导的解析式, 对铁基块体非晶合金在表观弹性区的纳米压痕位移与载荷及时间曲线进行了非线性拟合分析. 相较于整数阶模型, 分数阶模型不仅具有较高的拟合精度, 其拟合参数能敏锐地反应加载速率对块体非晶合金黏弹性行为的影响, 且参数的变化规律与载荷作用下非晶合金微观结构演化呈现出较强的相关性.     

超高强块体非晶合金的研究进展

研制具有极限力学性能的金属材料一直是材料研究人员的梦想.超高强块体非晶合金是一类具有极高断裂强度(4 GPa)、高热稳定性(玻璃化转变温度通常高于800 K)和高硬度(通常高于12 GPa)的新型先进金属材料,其代表合金材料Co-Ta-B的断裂强度可达6 GPa,为目前公开报道的块体金属材料的强度记录值.本文系统地综述了该类超高强度块体非晶合金的组分、热学性能、弹性模量及力学性能,阐述了该类材料的研发历程;以弹性模量为联系桥梁,阐明了该类超高强块体非晶合金材料各物理性能的关联性,并揭示了其高强度、高硬度的价键本质.相关内容对于材料工作者了解该类超高强度金属材料的性能和特点,并推进该类材料在航空航天先进制造、超持久部件、机械加工等领域的实际应用有着重要意义.     

非晶塑性变形机理研究新进展

非晶合金的塑性变形机理一直是材料科学和凝聚态物理研究的热点问题之一.文章简单介绍了近来中国科学院物理研究所在非晶合金塑性机理研究方面的最新进展,介绍了玻璃转变和塑性变形机制之间的关联性及最新的实验证据,以及从非平衡态统计力学角度对非晶塑性变形机制的理解,指出非晶合金的塑性和剪切带的动力学状态密切相关,发现韧性非晶合金在变形过程中可以演化到自组织临界状态.这对认识非晶合金的形成本质,探索具有实际应用价值的非晶合金具有重要意义.     

非晶合金中的流变单元

非晶合金是一类具有诸多优异性能的先进金属材料,同时也是研究非晶态物质的模型体系.最近,大量的实验和模拟证据显示,在非晶合金中可能存在类似晶体中缺陷的"流变单元",这些动力学单元和非晶合金的的流变、物理、力学性能密切关联.本文主要综述了流变单元提出的背景、实验证据、流变单元的特征、激活与演化过程、相互作用以及相关的理论.文中提供了大量实验证据证明流变单元模型不仅可以帮助理解非晶态物质中如形变、玻璃转变、弛豫动力学以及非晶结构和性能的关系等重要的基本物理问题,而且可以指导非晶合金性能的调控和设计,获得性能优异的非晶合金材料.     

非晶纤维的制备和力学行为

将块体材料制备成微纳米纤维时,其力学性能会得到进一步的提高,甚至具备块体材料所没有的力学行为.非晶态材料可经过熔体拉丝一次性成型而得到所需尺寸的均匀纤维,纤维表面质量好,其制备过程相对简单且节能.由于非晶材料短程有序、长程无序的结构,具备优异的力学性能,所以非晶纤维有着广泛的应用前景和基础研究价值.本文对能制备成非晶纤维且有优异力学性能的材料做了简单介绍,对非晶纤维的制备方法及其成型物理机制、非晶纤维的力学行为及其物理机制进行了综述,最后总结了非晶纤维的制备和力学行为的研究中存在的问题,对非晶纤维的发展前景做了展望.     

基于逾渗理论的非晶合金屈服行为研究

从非晶合金的微观结构出发,基于处理强无序和具有随机几何结构系统常用的理论方法——逾渗理论来描述非晶合金剪切屈服时的塑性流变.为了更好地理解非晶合金剪切带萌生时的临界问题,结合已有的"自由体积(free volume)模型"和"剪切转变区(shear transformation zone)模型",建立了非晶合金剪切转变的逾渗模型.以Cu_(25)Zr_(75)二元非晶合金为例,计算了在剪切转变区内易发生塑性流动的原子团簇剪切失稳的逾渗阈值,并粗略估算了这些原子团簇的大小.研究发现,剪切失稳的逾渗阈值与临界约化自由体积浓度(x_c～2.4%)有着相似的特性,不同之处在于其值与自由体积的分散度有着密切联系.研究结果作为非晶合金的韧脆转变问题提供了新思路.     

非晶物质中的临界现象

非晶态材料有着复杂的原子结构(短程有序、长程无序)和特殊的物理性质,其临界现象和相变问题一直受到学术界关注.非晶合金,又称为金属玻璃,是一种新型的非晶态材料,具有很高的强度和优异的弹性.从微观的角度来看,非晶合金可以看作是一个多粒子系统.临界现象的研究对认识和理解多粒子系统之间的相互作用有深刻的意义.本文主要讨论非晶合金中的临界现象,包括非晶合金从制备过程、微观结构到宏观的力学性能以及磁性方面存在的临界现象,并分析这些临界现象之间的内在联系,进而深入理解非晶合金的微观结构对其宏观性质的影响.这为认识非晶合金的形成本质,提高服役可靠性,探索具有实际应用价值的非晶合金提供理论依据.     

通过AC-HVAF方法制备铁基非晶合金涂层的结构分析

本研究通过活性燃烧高速燃气喷涂(AC-HVAF)方法制备出了均匀致密的铁基非晶化合金涂层.通过调制AC-HVAF喷涂过程的工艺参数,研究了喷涂枪长、喷涂距离和送粉率对涂层非晶化程度的影响,得出控制枪长是形成高质量非晶化涂层的关键,而喷涂距离和送粉率决定了涂层的厚度和形成速率.制备出的铁基非晶合金与基体结合致密,孔隙率较低,完全的非晶化结构有效的保持了铁基非晶合金优异的力学性能,可以对基体材料进行很好的防护.     

非晶合金的离子辐照效应

非晶合金作为一种快速凝固形成的新型合金材料,引起了材料研究者的极大兴趣.微观结构上长程无序、短程有序的特征使其具有独特的物理、化学和力学性能,在许多领域展现出良好的应用前景,尤其是有望成为核反应堆、航空航天等强辐照环境下的备选结构材料.本文深入探讨非晶合金的辐照效应,主要讨论离子辐照对非晶合金微观结构、宏观力学性能以及其他物理化学性能的影响,可为进一步理解非晶合金的微观结构和宏观力学性能之间的关系提供有效的实验和理论基础,也可为非晶合金在强辐照环境下的服役性能预测提供实验依据,对推进非晶合金这一先进材料的工程化应用具有重要的理论与实际意义.     

Minor alloying behavior in bulk metallic glasses and high-entropy alloys

The effect of minor alloying on several bulk metallic glasses and high-entropy alloys was studied. It was found that minor Nb addition can optimize the interface structure between the W fiber and the Zr-based bulk metallic glass in the composites, and improve the mechanical properties. Minor Y addition can destabilize the crystalline phases by inducing lattice distortion as a result to improve the glass-forming ability, and the lattice distortion energy is closely related to the efficiency of space filling of the competing crystalline phases. A long-period ordered structure can precipitate in the Mg-based bulk metallic glass by yttrium alloying. For the high-entropy alloys, solid solution can be formed by alloying, and its mechanical properties can be comparable to most of the bulk metallic glasses.     

NMR signature of evolution of ductile-to-brittle transition in bulk metallic glasses

The mechanical properties of monolithic metallic glasses depend on the structures at atomic or subnanometer scales, while a clear correlation between mechanical behavior and structures has not been well established in such amorphous materials. In this work, we find a clear correlation of (27)Al NMR isotropic shifts with a microalloying induced ductile-to-brittle transition at ambient temperature in bulk metallic glasses, which indicates that the (27)Al NMR isotropic shift can be regarded as a structural signature to characterize plasticity for this metallic glass system. The study provides a compelling approach for investigating and understanding the mechanical properties of metallic glasses from the point of view of electronic structure.     

Structural relaxation of Zr_(41)Ti_(14)Cu_(12.5)Ni_(10)Be_(22.5) bulk metallic glass under high pressure

Zr41Ti14Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5bulk metallic glass (BMG) is annealed at 573 K under 3 GPaand its structural relaxation is investigated by X-ray diffraction, ultrasonic study, compression as well as sliding wear measurements. It is found that after the ZrTiCuNiBe BMG sample was annealed under high pressure, the mechanical properties were improved. Moreover, the BMG with relaxed structure exhibits markedly different acoustic properties. These results are attributed to the fact that relaxation under high-pressure results in a microstructural transformation in the BMG.     

Effects of crystallization fractions on mechanical properties of Zr-based metallic glass matrix composites

The Zr41Ti14Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 (at.%) bulk metallic glass composites with various crystallization fractions were prepared by pretreating the bulk metallic glassy samples with pulsing current, and then by isothermal annealing at near initial crystallization temperature for different periods of time. The precipitations and crystallization fractions were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and their effects on mechanical properties of the composite were studied by micr...     

Structural relaxation of Zr<Subscript>41</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>14</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>12.5</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>10</Subscript>Be<Subscript>22.5</Subscript> bulk metallic glass under high pressure

Zr₄₁Ti₁₄Cu_12.5Ni₁₀Be_22.5 bulk metallic glass (BMG) is annealed at 573 K under 3 GPa and its structural relaxation is investigated by X-ray diffraction, ultrasonic study, compression as well as sliding wear measurements. It is found that after the ZrTiCuNiBe BMG sample was annealed under high pressure, the mechanical properties were improved. Moreover, theBMG with relaxed structure exhibits markedly different acoustic properties. These results are attributed to the fact that relaxation under high-pressure results in a microstructural transformation in the BMG.     

Amorphous Coatings and Surfaces on Structural Materials

Metallic glasses show a unique combination of high strength, excellent corrosion, and wear resistances because of their amorphous structure having a short-range order. In spite of excellent properties, the application of metallic glasses is restricted because of their inherent limitations in the bulk form, including limited tensile ductility. Using metallic glasses as the coatings for structural applications is an attractive way of taking advantage of their superior properties. Additionally, metallic glass-based composites having crystalline phases embedded in a amorphous matrix have also shown improved properties. Thus, metallic glasses can be synthesized as the coatings or subjected to surface modification to provide functionally superior surfaces. This article is a review of metallic glass-based coatings and surface modification of metallic glasses to achieve functionally superior surfaces for structural applications. Essential theoretical concepts were discussed which influence the processing. Common ways of processing along with the influence of various processing parameters were explored. Some non-conventional techniques which emerged as a result of continued efforts were also taken into account. Corrosion and wear properties of these materials along with the underlying mechanisms were discussed in detail. Focus was given to the recent product level applications explored in the open literature. Current challenges in the field were reviewed and guidelines for the future developments were provided.     

Effect of annealing on the deformation and fracture of metallic glass under local loading

An investigation is undertaken into the variations observed in the cracking resistance, the plasticity, and the structure of an 82K3KhSR metallic glass upon annealing. A method of evaluating the mechanical properties and the structural state of metallic glasses is proposed. This method is based on the indentation of the metallic glass deposited onto a substrate prepared from a polyester material and a metal. The critical annealing temperature that corresponds to drastic changes in the mechanical properties of the metallic glass is determined. It is found that dependences of the cracking resistance of metallic glasses on the indenter load exhibit a linear behavior at annealing temperatures above the critical point. An exponential decrease in the cracking resistance upon indentation is observed with an increase in the annealing temperature of metallic glasses.     

不透明玻璃显现出的曙光——块体金属玻璃的发现与应用

在足够高的冷却速度下，如同其他大多数物质一样，金属合金溶体在冷冷却到室温的过程中能够经过玻璃化转变过程变成非晶态固体——金属玻璃。金属玻璃因其具有许多优异和独特的物理、化学和力学性能而一直受到很大的关注。在过去，由于玻璃形成能力的限制，金属合金只能制成厚度为数十数米的薄带状金属玻璃，因而其应用范围受到极大的限制。通过对金属合金的组成、溶体的过冷与稳定性及玻璃形成能力的关系研究，人们用常规的方法在较低的冷却速度下就能在许多金属合金体系中形成三给尺度都达毫米至数厘米的块体金属玻璃，这为金属玻璃获得广泛的应用奠定了基础。     

Structural amorphous steels

Recent advancement in bulk metallic glasses, whose properties are usually superior to their crystalline counterparts, has stimulated great interest in fabricating bulk amorphous steels. While a great deal of effort has been devoted to this field, the fabrication of structural amorphous steels with large cross sections has remained an alchemist's dream because of the limited glass-forming ability (GFA) of these materials. Here we report the discovery of structural amorphous steels that can be cast into glasses with large cross-section sizes using conventional drop-casting methods. These new steels showed interesting physical, magnetic, and mechanical properties, along with high thermal stability. The underlying mechanisms for the superior GFA of these materials are discussed.