Construction of free-energy diagrams of amorphous alloys

Summary Free-energy diagrams of amorphous alloys are constructed using Miedema's semiempirical model of heats of formation. These diagrams account for the experimental glass-forming concentration range in binary alloys of transition metals. One of the main factors controlling glass formation is the elastic contribution to the heat of mixing of the solid solution phase. Free-energy diagrams of this kind are also useful for interpreting some characteristic processes occurring in amorphous systems, such as the spontaneous vitrification observed by Von Allmen and coworkers in several Ti-based and Nb-based alloys. The authors have agreed not to receive proofs for correction.