Fast-heating-induced formation of metallic-glass/crystal composites with enhanced plasticity

Bulk metallic glasses are known to have poor plasticity which limits their application as structural materials. Due to the lack of atomic periodicity in metallic glasses, their mechanical properties cannot be controlled the same way as in crystalline materials. Fast-heating-induced, a heating rate of 10 K s−1 and higher, crystallization of ductile nanocrystalline phase(s) leads to enhanced plasticity of metallic-glass/crystal composites. Here, an overview of controlling the microstructure on fast heating, the suggested crystallization mechanism of metastable phases and the principle of enhanced plasticity of the composites is presented and discussed, with a special focus on Cu–Zr-based metallic glasses