Radiation effect in Zr-based metallic glasses

Irradiation effect on transition of local structure in Zr-based metallic glasses was examined to stabilize metallic glasses and to transform crystalline structure to amorphous structure. To clarify the radiation effect on transition of local structure, we investigated primary phases formed in the metallic glasses during heat treatment. It is found that γ-ray and electron irradiation obstructed precipitation of fcc-Zr ₂Ni even though little exposure, indicating that electronic excitation was effective as well as atomic collision. Atomic collision plays an important role in the transition of primary phase by irradiating ions like N and noble metals. On the other hand, Cu ion ifcc-Zrrradiation accelerated precipitation of fcc-Zr ₂Ni. This is due to increase of concentration of Cu that is one of the elements of Zr ₅₅Ni ₅Al ₁₀Cu ₃₀ metallic glass. Crystalline structure was amorphized by irradiation of Au ion and amorphous phase was stabilized against the heat treatment.