In situ mechanical crystallization of amorphous alloys

Metallic glasses or amorphous solids are metastable and therefore they transform to the equilibrium stable phases on thermal annealing. In recent years it has been shown that deformation of metallic glasses also results in their crystallization, referred to as mechanical crystallization. Two different types of mechanical crystallization processes have been identified. One is the ex situ mechanical crystallization, a two-stage process, where a metallic glass, produced by any of the non-equilibrium processes, crystallizes on subjecting it to mechanical deformation. The other is in situ mechanical crystallization, a single-stage process, where a metallic glass or an amorphous solid produced by mechanical alloying crystallizes on continued milling for a longer period. This route seems to offer many advantages. The present article reviews the current literature - briefly on ex situ mechanical crystallization, and in detail on in situ mechanical crystallization - and presents the prospects of this interesting route of producing alloys containing either amorphous or crystalline, or different combinations of these two types.& COPY; 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Metallic glasses or amorphous solids undergo mechanical crystallization, either ex situ or in situ, through mechanical deformation or continued milling. This article reviews the current literature on mechanical crystallization, focusing on in situ processes, and explores the potential of this interesting route for producing alloys with amorphous, crystalline, or mixed phases.