Reversible phase transition between amorphous and crystalline in Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 under high pressure at room temperature

A reversible phase transition between amorphous and crystalline in bulk metallic glass (BMG) Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 has been investigated under high pressure at room temperature. The BMG displayed a structure memory under high pressure as detected by in situ synchrotron radiation of x-ray diffraction and resistance measurement in a diamond anvil cell. Direct experimental observations found that the crystallization of the BMG occurred at 24 GPa on uploading and the crystalline phase reverted back to the amorphous state during downloading. This unusual phenomenon was discussed thermodynamically. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)04220-0].