Production and Characterization of Zr Based Bulk Metallic Glass Matrix Composites (BMGMC) in the Form of Wedge Shape Ingots

Bulk metallic glass matrix composites (BMGMC) are unique materials of future having excellent mechanical properties (such as high hardness, strength and profound elastic strain limit). However, they exhibit poor ductility and suffer from catastrophic failure on the application of force. The reasons behind this are still not very well understood. In this study, an effort has been made to overcome this pitfall by solidification processing. Zr based BMGMCs are produced in the form of "as cast" wedges using vacuum arc melting and suction casting button furnace. The idea is to study the effect of cooling rate and inoculation on formability during solidification. Adjustment, manipulation and proper control of processing parameters are observed to reflect upon the quality of ingots such as improved castability, proper mold filling and defect free casting as characterized by NDT. Further, thermal analysis, optical microscopy and hardness measurement confirmed the formation and evolution of in-situ composite structure. This is first footprint of pathway towards sustainable manufacturing of these alloys in future.