Atomic-scale Nb heterogeneity induced icosahedral short-range ordering in metallic glasses

The intrinsic origins and formation of atomic-scale structure in multicomponent alloys remain largely unknown owing to limited simulations and inaccessible experiments. Herein, we report the formation of three-dimensional periodicity from a disordered atomic-scale structure to an imperfect/perfect ordered cluster and finally to long-range translational and rotational symmetry coupled with Nb heterogeneity. Significant atomic-scale structural clustering and atomic arrangements involving solvent or solute atoms simultaneously occurred during isothermal annealing. A close relationship between atomic-scale structural evolution and composition variation has important implications in depicting the chemical and topological packing during the early crystallization stage in metallic glasses. This work can provide a comprehensive understanding of how short-range orders evolve into long-range periodicity and will further shed light on the origins and nature of metallic glasses. (c) 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.

Automated summary

This study reports the occurrence of atomic-scale structural clustering and atomic arrangements during isothermal annealing. The evolution of atomic-scale structures is closely related to composition variation and has important implications for the chemical and topological packing during the early crystallization stage of metallic glasses.