Dual-phase glassy/nanoscale icosahedral phase materials in Cu–Zr–Ti–Pd system alloys

The present work is devoted to an investigation of the formation kinetics, stability and homogeneity area of the nanoscale icosahedral phase formed on heating in the dual-phase glassy/quasicrystalline phase Cu–Zr–Ti–Pd alloys. The data obtained indicate that the Cu–Zr–Ti–Pd icosahedral phase is not a Cu-rich part of the compositional homogeneity area of the Zr–Cu–Pd one. Moreover, Ti, as well as Pd, is found to be an important element stabilizing quasicrystalline phase in the Cu–Zr–Ti–Pd alloys. The formation criteria for Cu- and Zr/Hf-based icosahedral phases are discussed based on the quasilattice constant to average atomic diameter ratio. Deviation from a certain ratio leads to destabilization of the icosahedral phase. By using the isothermal calorimetry traces transformation kinetics above and below the glass-transition region was analyzed. Some difference in the transformation kinetics above and below the glass-transition region allows us to suggest that possible structure changes occur upon glass-transition.