Temperature-dependent effect of cooling rate on the melt-quenching process of metallic glasses

The cooling rate during the melt-quenching process is a crucial factor in the formation of metallic glasses. This study reveals the temperature- and thermal-history-dependent effects of cooling rate on the relaxation state of metallic glasses prepared by the rapid quenching of a liquid alloy. Using molecular dynamics techniques, we conducted melt-quenching simulations in which the cooling rates were varied during the quenching process. Maps were constructed to demonstrate the effect of the cooling rate on the quenching process as a function of temperature. The critical temperature range varied depending on the thermal history of the cooling process. Analyses of the local atomic order and atomic dynamics revealed the atomistic origin of the temperature- and thermal-history-dependent effects of the cooling rate. This study also discusses the physical background of the upper and lower ends of the critical temperature range based on the potential energy landscape and atomic dynamics.

Automated summary

The cooling rate is a crucial factor in the formation of metallic glasses during the melt-quenching process. This study investigates the temperature- and thermal-history-dependent effects of cooling rate on the relaxation state of metallic glasses. Maps are constructed to demonstrate the effect of cooling rate on the quenching process as a function of temperature. Analyses of local atomic order and atomic dynamics reveal the atomistic origin of the temperature- and thermal-history-dependent effects of cooling rate. The physical background of the critical temperature range is discussed based on potential energy landscape and atomic dynamics.