The Tribological Behaviors in Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass with High Heterogeneous Microstructure

Microstructural inhomogeneity of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) plays a significant role in their mechanical properties. However, there is hardly ant research concerning the influence of heterogeneous microstructures on tribological behaviors. Hence, in this research, the tribological behaviors of different microstructural-heterogeneity BMGs sliding in-air were systematically investigated, and the corresponding wear mechanisms were disclosed via analyzing the chemical composition and morphology of the wear track. Higher microstructural-heterogeneity BMGs can possess a better wear resistance both under dry sliding and a 3.5% NaCl solution. The results suggest that microstructural heterogeneity enhancement is a valid strategy to improve the tribological performance of BMGs.

Automated summary

This study systematically investigated the tribological behaviors of different microstructural-heterogeneity BMGs sliding in-air and found that enhancing microstructural heterogeneity is an effective strategy to improve their tribological performance.