Synthesis of La-based in-situ bulk metallic glass matrix composite

An in-situ dendritic crystalline α-La reinforced bulk metallic glass matrix composite was successfully synthesized by chill casting a La66Al14Cu10Ni10 alloy into copper mould with a rod diameter as large as 12 mm in diameter. The critical cooling rates for the formation of the in-situ composite determined by Bridgman solidification and for complete glass formation are 15 K/s and 450 K/s respectively. The thermal stability of the residual amorphous in the composite is higher than that of the fully amorphous sample of the same alloy.