Thermophysical Properties of an Fe57.75Ni19.25Mo10C5B8 Glass-Forming Alloy Measured in Microgravity

Iron-based metallic glasses are among the lowest-cost form of amorphous metals and have numerous potential applications, such as wear-resistant coatings, cutting tools, and gears. There is an increased interest for using this novel alloys as protective coatings and to produce structural elements by additive manufacturing. If an accelerated process development is desired, computer-based process simulations are nowadays a vital tool. As a consequence, high-quality measurements of the thermophysical properties in the solid and liquid phases are essential for developing numerical simulation models and suitable processing parameters. Due to the high melt reactivity of liquid metals at high temperatures, measurements using conventional containers are challenging, hence containerless methods have to be used. Herein, the thermophysical properties of an Fe-based metallic glass-former have been measured in the liquid phase using the electromagnetic levitator ISS-EML on-board the International Space Station (ISS).

Automated summary

Iron-based metallic glasses are a low-cost form of amorphous metals with potential applications, such as wear-resistant coatings and cutting tools. Computer-based process simulations are vital for accelerated development, and high-quality measurements of thermophysical properties are essential for developing numerical simulation models. Containerless methods are required for measuring the high melt reactivity of liquid metals at high temperatures.