Mechanical behaviour of Zr-La-Cu-Ni-Al glass-based composites

A range of phase-separating Zr-La-Cu-Ni-Al alloys has been cast. The Zr-based alloys show a dispersion of La-based, partially amorphous spheres in a Zr-based glassy matrix while the La-based alloys consist of Zr-based, crystalline spheres in a La-based glassy matrix. Compression testing reveals embrittlement in the former alloys, but toughening in the latter. The observed behaviour is explained by considering the toughness of the reinforcing phase, in comparison to the glassy matrix.