Preparation and mechanical properties of dispersed-ZrN glassy composite alloys containing pores Original Research Article

Glassy composite alloys containing dispersed ZrN particles and pores were successfully prepared for the first time by a powder compact melting and liquid quenching process using Zr–Al–Ni–Cu glassy alloy and AlN powders as the starting materials. The alloys were produced both in ribbon and rod forms by means of conventional single-roll spinning and casting techniques. The ZrN particles were of approximately micrometer sizes and synthesized by an AlN decomposition reaction. It was found that they had a regular morphology and high crystallinity, suggesting single crystals. The pores were spherical with a diameter of ∼10 μm and a porosity of about 2%. The rod alloys had a compressive fracture strength of about 2 GPa which is higher than that of the matrix of the Zr–Al–Ni–Cu glassy alloy.