Effect of electron irradiation on nano-crystallization in Zr66.7Cu33.3 and Zr65.0Al7.5Cu27.5 amorphous alloys

Effect of electron irradiation on the phase stability and crystallization behavior of Zr66.7Cu33.3 amorphous alloy and Zr65.0Al7.5Cu27.5 metallic glass which satisfy three empirical rules for high thermal stability of amorphous alloys was examined. Amorphous ribbons were prepared by single roller melt-spinning method. Not only conventional Zr66.7Cu33.3 amorphous alloy but also Zr65.0Al7.5Cu27.5 metallic glass were unstable under electron irradiation and the crystallization of an amorphous phase was accelerated by electron irradiation at an accelerated voltage of 2000 kV at room temperature. Electron irradiation was effective in producing a nanocrystalline structure in Zr-based amorphous alloys, while nanocrystalline structure was not easily obtained by annealing. Effect of a wide supercooled liquid region on crystallization of Zr-based amorphous alloys under electron irradiation was discussed.