Rapid screening the mechanical properties of ZrNi-based metallic glasses by high-throughput combinatorial approach

Rapid and massive screening approaches of new materials with good mechanical properties are of great importance for fundamental research and practical applications of structural materials. Here, one experimental combinatorial approach based on high-throughput sample preparation combined with nanoindentation platform and EDS mapping is proposed to fast screen the mechanical properties of ZrNi-based metallic glasses. A composition gradient film for Zr-Ni-Cu-Al system were prepared by magnetron sputtering method and the compositions were mapped by EDS. Various mechanical properties including the elastic modulus, hardness, strength and plastic deformation ability were fast characterized by nanoindentation. The composition ranges with the optimal individual and comprehensive mechanical properties were separately identified. To verify the above fast-screen approach, the tensile tests and Vickers hardness measurement were conducted on the bulk samples with the same compositions of the screened optimal systems. Our approach will speed up the development of novel metallic glasses with good mechanical properties.

Automated summary

In this study, an experimental combinatorial approach based on high-throughput sample preparation, nanoindentation platform, and EDS mapping was proposed to rapidly screen the mechanical properties of ZrNi-based metallic glasses. The mechanical properties, including elastic modulus, hardness, strength, and plastic deformation ability, were quickly characterized using nanoindentation. The composition ranges with optimal mechanical properties were identified separately.