A thermodynamic criterion for predicting glass-forming ability in binary metallic glasses

A new thermodynamic model for estimation of glass forming ability (GFA) is proposed. Considering both the stability of liquid and crystal and the competition of glass and crystal, an expression of GFA has been obtained. The equation is very useful for identifying alloy compositions with good GFA of binary alloys. Finally, this thermodynamic model of GFA is not only verified in five different binary bulk metallic glasses but also showed wider application range comparing with the former model. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.