Influence of casting temperature on the castability and glass-forming ability of Zr-based bulk metallic glasses

Both castability and glass-forming ability (GFA) are crucial for die-casting of Zr-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) components. In this work, a simple method is used to quantify the castability required for casting two SIM card slots with different designs, and to quantify the castability at different casting temperatures. It is found that the Zr55Cu30Ni5Al10 (Zr55) BMG has a wider optimal casting temperature region (in which glassy rods with a diameter of at least 5 mm can be formed) than that of Zr52.5Cu25Ni9.5Al7Ti6 (Zr52.5), which is consistent of the better GFA of the Zr55. In the optimal casting temperature region, however, the castability of Zr52.5 is signif-icantly better than that of Zr55, because Zr52.5 has a lower melting point, a poorer wettability to the copper mold, and a higher optimal casting temperature. These results are helpful to guide the production of Zr-based BMG components.

Automated summary

In this study, a simple method was used to quantify the castability and glass-forming ability (GFA) of two SIM card slots with different designs, as well as at different casting temperatures. It was found that the Zr55Cu30Ni5Al10 (Zr55) alloy has a wider optimal casting temperature range compared to the Zr52.5Cu25Ni9.5Al7Ti6 (Zr52.5) alloy, indicating better GFA of Zr55. However, within the optimal casting temperature range, the castability of Zr52.5 was significantly better than that of Zr55 due to its lower melting point, poorer wettability to the copper mold, and higher optimal casting temperature. These findings provide guidance for the production of Zr-based bulk metallic glass components.