Formation of amorphous Zr-Al-Cu-Ni with a large supercooled liquid region by mechanical alloying

Abstract
Amorphous Zr65.0Al7.5Cu17.5Ni10.0 powder has been prepared by mechanical alloying from crystalline elemental powders. The powders are characterized by x‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The amorphous phase forms after about 50 h of milling, and exhibits a wide supercooled liquid region of up to 87 K before crystallization. The transformation to the crystalline state and the melting behavior of the crystalline alloy have been followed by isothermal and constant‐rate heating DSC. The results are compared with data for melt‐spun and water‐quenched amorphous material.