US 5,368,659 A · Method of forming berryllium bearing metallic glass

Abstract

Alloys which form metallic glass upon cooling below the glass transition temperature at a rate appreciably less than 10.sup.6 K/s comprise beryllium in the range of from 2 to 47 atomic percent and at least one early transition metal in the range of from 30 to 75% and at least one late transition metal in the range of from 5 to 62%. A preferred group of metallic glass alloys has the formula (Zr.sub.1-x Ti.sub.x).sub.a (Cu.sub.1-y Ni.sub.y).sub.b Be.sub.c. Generally, a is in the range from 30 to 75% and the lower limit increases with increasing x. When x is in the range of from 0 to 0.15, b is in the range of from 5 to 62%, and c is in the range of from 6 to 47%. When x is in the range of from 0.15 to 0.4, b is in the range of from 5 to 62%, and c is in the range of from 2 to 47%. When x is in the range of from 0.4 to 0.6, b is in the range of from 5 to 62%, and c is in the range of from 2 to 47%. When x is in the range of from 0.6 to 0.8, b is in the range of from 5 to 62%, and c is in the range of from 2 to 42%. When x is in the range of from 0.8 to 1, b is in the range of from 5 to 62%, and c is in the range of from 2 to 30%. Other elements may also be present in the alloys in varying proportions.

Claims53

Dependent claims

A method for making a metallic glass having at least 50% amorphous phase comprising the steps of:

forming an alloy having the formula
(Zr.sub.1-x Ti.sub.x).sub.a1 ETM.sub.a2 (Cu.sub.1-y Ni.sub.y).sub.b1 LTM.sub.b2 Be.sub.c
where x and y are atomic fractions, and a1, a2, b1, b2, and c are atomic percentages, wherein:
ETM is at least one early transition metal selected from the group consisting of V, Nb, Hf, and Cr, wherein the atomic percentage of Cr is no more than 0.2 a1;
LTM is a late transition metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Mn, Ru, Ag and Pd;
a2 is in the range of from 0 to 0.4a1;
x is in the range of from 0 to 0.4;
and
y is in the range of from 0 to 1;
and
(A) when x is in the range of from 0 to 0.15:
(a1+a2) is in the range of from 30 to 75%,
(b1+b2) is in the range of from 5 to 62%,
b2 is in the range of from 0 to 25%, and
c is in the range of from 6 to 47%;
(B) when x is in the range of from 0.15 to 0.4:
(a1+a2) is in the range of from 30 to 75%,
(b1+b2) is in the range of from 5 to 62%,
b2 is in the range of from 0 to 25%, and
c is in the range of from 2 to 47%;
and
cooling the entire alloy from above its melting point to a temperature below its glass transition temperature at a sufficient rate to prevent formation of more than 50% crystalline phase.

19 more elements

A method for making a metallic glass having at least 50% amorphous phase comprising the steps of:

forming an alloy having the formula
(Zr.sub.1-x Ti.sub.x).sub.a (Cu.sub.1-y Ni.sub.y).sub.b Be.sub.c
where x and y are atomic fractions, a, b and c are atomic percentages, wherein y is in the range of from 0 to 1, x is in the range of from 0.4 to 1, and wherein:
(A) when x is in the range of from 0.4 to 0.6:
a is in the range of from 35 to 75%,
b is in the range of from 5 to 62%, and
c is in the range of from 2 to 47%;
(B) when x is in the range of from 0.6 to 0.8:
a is in the range of from 35 to 75%,
b is in the range of from 5 to 62%, and
c is in the range of from 2 to 42%;
and
(C) when x is in the range of from 0.8 to 1:
a is in the range of from 35 to 75%,
b is in the range of from 5 to 62%, and
c is in the range of from 2 to 30%, under the constraint that 3c is up to (100-b) when b is in the range of from 10 to 49%;
and
cooling the entire alloy from above its melting point to a temperature below its glass transition temperature at a sufficient rate to prevent formation of more than 50% crystalline phase.

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of forming berryllium bearing metallic glass

Life of this patent

Method of forming berryllium bearing metallic glass

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims53