Ni-Nb-P-based bulk glass-forming alloys: Superior material properties combined in one alloy family

Ni-Nb-based bulk glass-forming alloys are among the most promising amorphous metals for industrial applications due to their incomparable combination of strength, hardness, elasticity and plasticity. However, the main drawback is the limited glass-forming ability, narrowing the field of application to solely small components. In this study, we show that minor additions of P to the binary Ni-Nb system increase the glass-forming ability by 150 % to a record value of 5 mm. P can be easily added by using an industrial Ni-P pre-alloy which is readily available. The partial substitution of Nb by Ta further boosts the glass-forming ability to values 200 % higher than that of the binary base alloy. Besides conventional X-ray diffraction measurements, the amorphous nature of the samples is verified by high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the new alloy compositions are characterized in uniaxial compression tests and Vickers hardness measurements, showing a high engineering yield strength of 3 GPa, an extended plastic regime up to 10 % strain to failure and an increase of the hardness to a maximum value of 1000 HV5. Additionally, calorimetric measurements reveal that the modified alloys feature an extended supercooled liquid region up to 69 K upon heating, permitting thermoplastic micro molding of amorphous feedstock material.

Automated summary

Ni-Nb-based bulk glass-forming alloys have excellent mechanical properties, but limited glass-forming ability. This study shows that minor additions of P and partial substitution of Nb by Ta can significantly enhance the glass-forming ability. The modified alloys exhibit high strength, extended plasticity, increased hardness, and an extended supercooled liquid region.