Synthesis of diamond-reinforced Zr65Al10Ni10Cu15 metallic glass composites by pulsed current sintering

Zr65Al10Ni10Cu15 metallic glass matrix composites (MGMC) reinforced with diamond particles were fabricated using a pulsed current sintering process. The thermal stability, microstructure and mechanical properties of the sintered bulk MGMC were investigated. The pulsed current sintered composites not only showed nearly full relative density, but also thermal stability similar to that of the initial metallic glass powders. The addition of diamond particles increased the strength which was further improved as the volume fraction increased up to ∼10%. This corresponds to the change in fracture pattern of metallic glass after reinforcing with diamond particles.