Bulk metallic glass composites ductilized by core–shell structured dual crystalline phases through controlled inoculation

Ductile crystalline phases of bcc Ta and CuZr(B2) were coupled in situ and assembled in a core–shell structure in bulk metallic glass (BMG) composites through controlled inoculation. These two phases were dispersed homogeneously within the amorphous matrix. The CuZr(B2) phase nucleated preferentially on the bcc Ta surface following well-defined crystallographic orientation relationships. A layer of intermediate transition zone containing interwoven amorphous structures formed at their interfaces to lower the interfacial energy. The composites exhibited significantly improved plasticity and simultaneous increase in strength. This study greatly aids in the microstructural design and tailoring for optimized mechanical properties of BMG composites.