Electron beam welding of Zr-based BMG/Ni joints: Effect of beam irradiation position on mechanical and microstructural properties

The electron beam welding of 3 mm thick Zr41Be23Ti14Cu12Ni10 bulk metallic glass (BMG) plate to Ni metal was investigated. The BMG was welded to Ni with an electron acceleration voltage of 60 kV, a beam current of 13.5 mA, welding speed of 45 mm/s and dw = 0.2 mm. The flexural strength of the welded joint (415 MPa) was higher than the yield strength of the Ni (345 MPa). The electron beam irradiation position had a strong influence on the joint properties. When the electron beam was too far from the crystalline metal, no joining was achieved, and when the electron beam was too close to the crystalline metal it led to crystallization in the weld.