Structure, phase formation and properties of metallic glasses manipulated by electric current

• Applicants: Dr. Michael Herbig; Dr. Ivan Kaban
• Subject Area: Mechanical Properties of Metallic Materials and their Microstructural Origins
• Term: from 2017 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 369730576

Development of advanced composite materials combining the best properties of glassy and crystalline matter is of high interest scientific and technological interest. Rapid heat treatment of metallic glasses by electric current is one promising technique for obtaining advanced glass-matrix composites. The present project aims to investigate devitrification of CuZrAl metallic glasses and the effects of crystallization on mechanical properties, in particular, such factors as the selection of crystalline phases, nano- and microstructure of crystalline phases and amorphous matrix, glass-crystal interface, mechanisms of deformation and strain hardening upon tension. The studies will be carried out with using all available techniques including in-situ high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction upon heating and mechanical load, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography. For the in-situ XRD upon rapid heating an experimental setup will be developed. Applicability of the Joule heating for obtaining ductile metallic glass composites in other systems will be investigated.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Cooperation Partner: Dr. Martin von Zimmermann