Nanocrystallization of ZrTiCuNiBeC bulk metallic glass under high pressure

Nanocrystallization of ${\mathrm{Zr}}_{\mathrm{41}}{\mathrm{Ti}}_{\mathrm{14}}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{\mathrm{12.5}}{\mathrm{Ni}}_{\mathrm{9}}{\mathrm{Be}}_{\mathrm{22.5}}{\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{1}}$ bulk metallic glass (BMG) under high pressure is investigated. It is found that the nanocrystallization is pressure assisted, and the primary nanocrystallization temperature decreases as the applied pressure increases. Pressure annealing of the BMG in the supercooled liquid region produces a composite with dispersion of very fine nanocrystallites in the amorphous matrix. A fully nanocrystallization is obtained by pressure annealing under 6 GPa at 723 K. The pressure also controls the phase selection during the crystallization. The mechanism for the pressure-assisted nanocrystallization is discussed.