Formation of bulk metallic glasses in Cu45Zr48−xAl7REx (RE = La, Ce, Nd, Gd and 0 ≤ x ≤ 5 at.%)

We report a series of bulk metallic glass-forming alloys of compositions (Cu45Zr48−xAl7REx, RE = La, Ce, Nd, Gd and 0 ≤ x ≤ 5 at.%). By using a conventional copper mold sucking method, alloys with diameters ranging from 5 to 10 mm can be readily solidified into an amorphous structure without detectable crystallites. The best glass-forming ability is obtained for the alloys Cu45Zr46Al7RE2. Possible effects of RE addition on the glass-forming ability are discussed. In addition, the compositional effect on mechanical properties of Zr–Cu–Al–Gd alloys is presented.