LaGa-based bulk metallic glasses

We report the formation of La Ga-based bulk metallic glasses. Ternary La–Ga–Cu glassy rods of 2–3 mm in diameter can be easily formed in a wide composition range by the conventional copper mold casting method. With minor addition of extra elements such as Co, Ni, Fe, Nb, Y, and Zr, the critical diameter of the full glassy rods of the La–Ga–Cu matrix can be markedly enhanced to at least 5 mm. The characteristics and properties of these new La Ga-based bulk metallic glasses with excellent glass formation ability and low glass transition temperature are model systems for fundamental issues investigation and could have some potential applications in micromachining field.     

Secondary relaxation and dynamic heterogeneity in metallic glasses:A brief review

Understanding mechanical relaxation, such as primary(α) and secondary(β) relaxation, is key to unravel the intertwined relation between the atomic dynamics and non-equilibrium thermodynamics in metallic glasses. At a fundamental level, relaxation, plastic deformation, glass transition, and crystallization of metallic glasses are intimately linked to each other, which can be related to atomic packing, inter-atomic diffusion, and cooperative atom movement. Conceptually, βrelaxation is usually associated with structural heterogeneities intrinsic to metallic glasses. However, the details of such structural heterogeneities, being masked by the meta-stable disordered long-range structure, are yet to be understood. In this paper, we briefly review the recent experimental and simulation results that were attempted to elucidate structural heterogeneities in metallic glasses within the framework of β relaxation. In particular, we will discuss the correlation amongβ relaxation, structural heterogeneity, and mechanical properties of metallic glasses.     

2-um emission performance of Tm^3＋-Ho^3＋ co-doped tellurite glasses

The emission properties of 2-um region fluorescence of Tm^3＋-Ho^3＋ co-doped tellurite glasses are investigated. Introducing F- ions to the composition of tellurite glasses plays a positive effect on the 2-#m emission. A maximum intensity of 2-um emission is achieved when 1.5-mol% Tm2O3 and 1-mol% Ho203 concentration are doped in the glasses. The emission cross section and gain coefficient of the ^5I8-^5I7 transition of Ho^3＋ are calculated. The emission cross section has a maximum of 1.29×10-20 cm^2 at 2048 nm wavelength. The results indicate that Tm＆3＋-Ho^3＋ co-doped tellurite glasses are suitable for 2-um application.     

Strong-Superstrong Transition in Glass Transition of Metallic Glass

Dynamic fragility of bulk metallic glass （BMG） of Zr64Cu16Ni10Al10 alloy is studied by three-point beam bending methods. The fragility parameter mfor Zr64Cu16Ni10Al10 BMG is calculated to be 24.5 at high temperature, which means that the liquid is a ＂strong＂ liquid, while to be 13.4 at low temperature which means that the liquid is a ＂super-strong＂ liquid. The dynamical behavior of Zr64Cu16Ni10Al10 BMG in the supercooled region undergoes a strong to super-strong transition. To our knowledge, it is the first time that a strong-to-superstrong transition is found in the metallic glass. Using small angle x-ray scattering experiments, we find that this transition is assumed to be related to a phase separation process in supercooled liquid.     

Correlation between Atomic Size Ratio and Poisson＇s Ratio in Metallic Glasses

We report the correlation between atomic size ratio and Poisson＇s ratio in various metallic glasses. It is found that atomic size ratio has an influence on the atomic packing density of metallic glasses, which would significantly impact the shear modulus rather than bulk modulus. The findings may be helpful for understanding the structural origin of Poisson＇s ratio in metallic glasses, and are instructive for designing tough metallic glasses with large Poisson ＇s ratio.     

2-μm emission performance of Tm~(3+)-Ho~(3+) co-doped tellurite glasses

The emission properties of 2-μm region fluorescence of Tm~(3+)-Ho~(3+) co-doped tellurite glasses are investigated. Introducing F~- ions to the composition of tellurite glasses plays a positive effect on the 2-μm emission.A maximum intensity of 2-μm emission is achieved when 1.5-mol%Tm_2O_3 and l-mol% Ho_2_O3 concentration are doped in the glasses.The emission cross section and gain coefficient of the ~5I_8→~5I_7 transition of Ho~(3+) are calculated.The emission cross section has a maximum of 1.29×10~(-2...     

Effects of the laser surface treatment on the mechanical properties of CuZr-based bulk metallic glasses

Surfaces of three types of CuZr-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) were modified by laser surface treatment (LST), and the influence of the treatment on structure and mechanical properties of these alloys was investigated. The phase structure of as-cast and laser-treated samples was characterized by XRD and the morphology of the alloys after fracture was examined by SEM. The compressive plasticity of treated Cu47.5Zr47.5Al5 and Cu46.5Zr47.5Al5Co1 BMGs can be improved from 0.5% to 2.0% and from 1.2% to 5.7% respectively compared with the as-cast ones, while (Cu0.55Zr0.40Al0.05)99Er1 BMG shows insignificant change of plasticity. The improvement in plasticity is attributed to induced crystallization of B2 CuZr phase in the treated surface zone of selected metallic glasses.     

Amorphization Induced High Magneto-Caloric Effect of Gd55Al20Ni25 Ternary Alloy

We report the amorphization induced high magneto-caloric effect （MCE） of recently developed Gd55Al15Ni30 bulk metallic glass （BMG）. The magnetic properties of the Gd55Al15Ni30 BMG are investigated in comparison with that of its crystalline counterpart. It is found that amorphization can increase the saturation magnetization and decrease the hysteresis of Gd55Al15Ni30 alloys, which indicate the possible enhancement of MCE. The magnetic entropy changes and the refrigerant capacity of the BMG as well as the crystalline samples is calculated directly from isothermal magnetic measurements. The results show the amorphization induced high MCE of the alloy and the excellent refrigerant efficiency of Gd55Al15Ni30 bulk metallic glass.     

Low-temperature physical properties and electronic structures of Ni_3Sb,Ni_5Sb_2,NiSb_2,and NiSb

We report the results of low temperature resistivity and magnetization measurements on polycrystalline samples of four Ni–Sb compounds,Ni3 Sb,Ni5Sb2,NiS b,and Ni Sb2.Resistivity measurements revealed that these compounds exhibit a metallic type of electrical conductivity.Temperature dependences of the resistivities were well fitted by the generalized Bloch–Gr u¨neisen formula with an exponent of n = 3,indicating that the s–d interband scattering is the dominant scattering mechanism.The magnetic susceptibilities of Ni5Sb2,Ni Sb,and Ni Sb2 are almost independent of temperature(above150 K),exhibiting Pauli paramagnetic behavior.The temperature dependences of the susceptibilities were fitted using the Curie–Weiss law.Ni3 Sb was found to have a paramagnetic–ferromagnetic phase transition at 229 K.First-principles calculations have been performed to investigate the electronic structures and physical properties of these Ni–Sb alloys.The calculation of the band structure predicted that Ni3 Sb,Ni5Sb2,Ni Sb,and Ni Sb2 have characteristics of metal,and the ground state of Ni3 Sb is ferromagnetic.The electrical and magnetic properties observed experimentally are consistent with that predicted by the first-principle electronic structure calculations.     

Optical spectra and local structure of Eu~(3+) ions doped in Nb_2O_5-La_2O_3-B_2O_3-BaO glasses

The xNb2O5-(15-x)La2O3-40B2O3-45BaO (x = 5, 7,5, 12.5 mol%) glasses doped with Eu3 mol% are fabricated by the melting method. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, phonon sideband spectra, emission and excitation spectra of the glasses are measured. The crystal field parameter and coordination number of Eu3 ions in the glasses are obtained according to the splitting of their 5D0 - 7F1 levels. The intensity parametersΩ2 andΩ4 of Eu3 ions for optical transition are calculated from their emission spectra in terms of reduced matrix U(t) (λ= 2, 4, 6) character for optical transitions. The results indicate that the intensity parametersΩ2 andΩ4 increase with the increase of Nb2O5 content, suggesting that the symmetry becomes lower, the band of Eu and O atoms becomes stronger and the covalence increases with the increase of Nb2O5 content.     

Optical spectra and local structure of Eu3+ ions doped in Nb2O5-La2O3-B2O3-BaO glasses

The xNb2O5-(15-x)La2O3-40B2O3-45BaO (x = 5, 7.5, 12.5 mol%) glasses doped with Eu3+ ions in 1mol% are fabricated by the melting method. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, phonon sideband spectra, emission and excitation spectra of the glasses are measured. The crystal field parameter and coordination number of Eu3+ ions in the glasses are obtained according to the splitting of their 5D0 - 7F1levels. The intensity parameters Ω2 and Ω4 of Eu3+ ions for optical transition are calculated from their emission spectra in terms of reduced matrix U(t) (λ= 2,4,6) character for optical transitions. The results indicate that the intensity parameters Ω2 and Ω4 increase with the increase of Nb2O5 content, suggesting that the symmetry becomes lower, the band of Eu and O atoms becomes stronger and the covalence increases with the increase of Nb2O5 content.     

Ni-based Ni-Fe-B-Si-Ta bulk metallic glasses

The glass-forming ability and properties of Ni-based Ni-Fe-B-Si-Ta bulk metallic glasses are explored in this work. The alloy compositions are determined by using a combination of the cluster line approach, the multi-alloying strategy and the substitutions of similar elements. Bulk metallic glasses with diameters of 3 mm take shape at compositions formulated under the clus- ter-plus-glue-atom model [M9B]B~[(Ni1-xFex)7.71(Si0.66Ta0.34)1.29B]B0.94=(Ni1-xFex)70.5B17.7Si7.8Ta4, x=0.35–0.45, where the bracketed part is the cluster and the unbracketed part is the glue atoms. These alloys exhibit good magnetic properties. The maximum Is is found in the (Ni0.55Fe0.45)70.5B17.7Si7.8Ta4 alloy which reaches 0.51 T, with its Hc as low as 8.5 A/m. Interestingly, these alloys display dual glass transitions at (Ni0.65Fe0.35)70.5B17.7Si7.8Ta4, (Ni0.60Fe0.4)70.5B17.7Si7.8Ta4 and (Ni0.55Fe0.45)70.5B17.7- Si7.8Ta4 as unveiled by Temperature-Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry.     

Three-point bending fracture characteristics of bulk metallic glasses

This paper presents the SEM micrographs for the three-point bending fracture surfaces of Zr-based, Ce-based and Mg-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs), which show the dimple structures in the three kinds of BMGs. The shapes of the giant plastic deformation domain on the fracture surface are similar but the sizes are different. The fracture toughness KC and the dimple structure size of the Zr-based BMG are both the largest, and those of the Mg-based BMG are the smallest. The fracture toughness KC and the dimple structure size of the Ce-based BMG are between those of the Zr-based and the Mg-based BMG. Through analyzing the data of different fracture toughnesses of the BMGs, we find that the plastic zone width follows w = (KC/σY)2/(6π).     

Correlation between supercooled liquid region and crystallization behavior with alloy composition of La-Al-Cu metallic glasses

Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) with large supercooled liquid region are promising materials for superplastic forming. In this paper, we demonstrate a microstructure-based strategy to pinpoint the composition with the largest supercooled liquid region in La 86 x Al 14 Cu x (x=16 at%-20 at%) metallic glass system. By monitoring the changes in crystallization behavior of the glassy alloys with composition to search for the alloys exhibiting eutectic crystallization, the glassy alloys with the largest supercooled...     

Enhancement of upconversion luminescence of YAlO3：Er^3＋ by Gd^3＋ doping

Two series of Yb3+-doped silica glasses (YA and YAP) are fabricated using the sol-gel method, and their spectroscopic properties are investigated. The longest fluorescence lifetime of 0.96 ms is obtained in YAP2 and YAP3 glasses. The emission cross-section (σemi) and σemi ×τ of Yb3+ in the YAP1 glass are 1.00 pm2 and 0.94 pm2·ms, respectively. Co-doping with Al and P decreases the hydroxyl group content in the glasses because of the reduction in non-bridging oxygen content. The lowest OH content in the YAP3 glass is 9.6 ppm.     

Chen’s lattice inversion embedded-atom method for Ni-Al alloy

The structural properties,the enthalpies of formation,and the mechanical properties of some Ni-Al intermetallic compounds(NiAl,Ni3Al,NiAl3,Ni5Al3,Ni3Al4) are studied by using Chen’s lattice inversion embedded-atom method(CLI-EAM).Our calculated lattice parameters and cohesive energies of Ni-Al compounds are consistent with the experimental and the other EAM results.The results of enthalpy of formation indicate a strong chemical interaction between Ni and Al in the intermetallic compounds.Through analyzing the alloy elastic constants,we find that all the Ni-Al intermetallic compounds discussed are mechanically stable.The bulk moduli of the compounds increase with the increasing Ni concentration.Our results also suggest that NiAl,Ni3Al,NiAl3,and Ni5Al3 are ductile materials with lower ratios of shear modulus to bulk modulus;while Ni3Al4 is brittle with a higher ratio.     

Improvement of Plasticity of Ti-Based Bulk Metallic Glasses by Addition of Nb

Ti-based bulk metallic glasses （Ti40Zr25Cu9NisBe18 ）100-x Nbx with x = 0 to 5 at. % are prepared by copper-mold casting. The glass formation ability is almost unchanged by addition of Nb. The compression plasticity is, however, apparently changed, from 3% at x = 0 to 13% at x = 3, about 330% increases at the strain rate of 1 × 10^-4 8^-1. The increment of the plasticity can be attributed to the segregation of Nb in the area of shear bands during the compression processing. An effective way to increase the plasticity of Ti-based bulk metallic glasses is thus proposed.     

Thermal Expansion Anomaly and Spontaneous Magnetostriction of Y2Fe14Al3 Compound

The structure and magnetic properties of Y2Fe14Al3 compound are investigated by means of x-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. The Y2Fe14Al3 compound has a hexagonal Th2Ni17-type structure. Negative thermal expansion is found in Y2Fe14Al3 compound in the temperature range from 403 to 491K by x-ray dilatometry. The coefficient of the average thermal expansion is α^- = -2.54Х 10^-5 K^-1. The spontaneous magnetostrictive deformations from 283 to 470 K are caJculated by means of the differences between the experimental values of the lattice parameters and the corresponding values extrapolated from the paramagnetic range. The result shows that the spontaneous volume magnetostrictive deformation ωs decreases from 5.74 × 10^-3 to nearly zero with temperature increasing from 283 to 470K, the spontaneous linear magnetostrictive deformation λc along the c-axis is larger than the spontaneous linear magnetostrictive deformation λa in basal-plane in the same temperature below 350 K.     

Subwavelength asymmetric Au–VO_2 nanodisk dimer for switchable directional scattering

We propose an asymmetric Au–VO_2 nanodisk dimer for realizing a switchable directional scattering. Specifically, the directional scattering can be triggered on/off through controlling the phase transition of the VO_2 nanodisk from metallic to semiconductor state. More strikingly, an obvious directional scattering with the directivity of ～40 dB is achieved under the metallic state of VO_2 nanodisk. This tunable directional scattering is further explained with an interference model where the Au and VO_2 nanodisks are treated as two weakly interacting electric dipoles. The phase transition controlled scattering patterns of asymmetric Au–VO_2 nanodisk dimer are then well interpreted from the phase difference between these two dipoles.