Microstructure evolution of the laser spot welded Ni-free Zr-based bulk metallic glass composites

Huei Sen Wang, Mau Sheng Chiou, Hou Guang Chen, Jason Shian Ching Jang, Jhen Wang Gu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

A novel Ni-free (Zr 48Cu 32Al 8Ag 8,Ta 4)Si 0.75 bulk metallic glass composite (BMG-C), showing an excellent combination of high strength and remarkable ductility, was laser spot welded with the pre-selected laser welding parameters. After welding, the microstructure evolution, glass forming ability (GFA) and mechanical properties of the welded samples were determined by a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the Vickers microhardness test. Test results showed that the parent material (PM), heat affected zone (HAZ) and weld fusion zone (WFZ) in the welds all consist of an amorphous matrix with two kinds of Ta particles: micro-sized and nano-sized. In the WFZ, during the rapid melting, the partial dissolution of micro-sized Ta particles resulted in the reduction of their volume fraction. After subsequent rapid cooling, partial micro-sized Ta particles were transformed to nano-sized particles or nano-sized particle accumulations. This transformation resulted in a slightly higher magnitude of hardness in the WFZ. Furthermore, it was found that the surrounding area of micro-sized Ta in the WFZ has better resistance to the etchant solution. In the HAZ, small amounts of Zr 2Cu and nano-sized Ta tended to precipitate on the micro-sized Ta surface, and may act as heterogeneous nucleation sites. However, the small amount of precipitation in the HAZ and the micro-sized Ta transformation in the WFZ did not significantly affect the magnitude of the GFA indices, ΔT x, γ and γ m, when compared to that of un-welded BMG-C.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)92-98
Number of pages7
JournalIntermetallics
Volume29
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2012

Keywords

  • A. Composites
  • B. Glasses, metallic
  • B. Phase transformation
  • B. Precipitates
  • C. Laser processing
  • C. Welding

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Microstructure evolution of the laser spot welded Ni-free Zr-based bulk metallic glass composites'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this