Ni-rich Ni–Pd–P bulk metallic glasses with significantly improved glass-forming ability and mechanical properties by Si addition

We report the significant effect of a small amount of Si on glass formation and mechanical properties of Ni-based bulk metallic glasses. It was found that only 2 at.% silicon dramatically enhances the glass-forming ability of Ni-based Ni–Pd–P alloys and the critical sample diameters can be improved from smaller than 7 mm of Ni60Pd20P20 to 15 mm of Ni60Pd20P18Si2. The new Ni-based bulk metallic glass also exhibits excellent mechanical properties with both high strength and good compression plasticity.