Application and evaluation of semi-empirical criteria in the development of new amorphous Ti-Ni-Cu alloys

The selection of good glass forming compositions is not a simple undertaking and many groups work on models and theoretical approximations in order to predict or at least guide the laborious and expensive experimental pinpointing of compositions in a given system. The DEMa-UFSCar group , in partnership with the solidification group of the EESC/SMM-USP , have worked in semi-empirical criteria based on a combination of topological aspects (criterion λmin), electronegativity (criteria Δe) and enthalpy of mixing of the elements [criterion Log(RC)] to predict compositions with high Glass Forming Ability (GFA). These criteria have shown good results to predict compositions with high GFA. The aim of this thesis was to contribute to the efforts being made to improve the efficiency and to expand the applications of these proposed criteria. For this study, we used the Log (RC) criterion and the combined criteria λmin x Δe. Using these criteria, nine composition of the Ti-Cu-Ni system were selected and were processed in the laboratory, so the theoretical and experimental results were compared. The experimental results were also compared with the theoretical results of other criteria reported in the literature. This study was performed with the use of rapidly solidified ribbons and analyzed by thermal analysis (DSC), Xray diffraction (XRD) and statistical tools. The results showed that the proposed criteria have low correlation with the experimental results; and to increase that correlation we proposed some improvements in the criteria. Additionally, through another study it was possible to determine the first stages of devitrification of the amorphous structure and to compare them with the predictions of the criteria Log (RC) and λmin x Δe. For this, we selected 4 alloys of the Ti-Cu-Ni system and a study of crystallization kinetics was performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), DSC and XRD analyzes. It was revealed that the experimental results are consistent with the theoretical results partially.Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisUma das principais barreiras para a ampliação do uso de ligas com estrutura amorfa está no desenvolvimento de composições que apresentem alta Tendência de Formação de Estrutura Amorfa (TFA). O grupo de Metais Amorfos e Nano-estruturados do DEMa-UFSCar , em parceria com o grupo de Solidificação do SMM/EESC-USP , tem trabalhado em critérios semi-empíricos baseado em aspectos topológicos da estrutura e se mostram como ferramentas eficazes na predição de composições de ligas com alta TFA. O objetivo desta tese foi de contribuir com os esforços que vêm sendo realizados para avaliar a eficiência, aperfeiçoar e ampliar as aplicações desses critérios propostos. Para o presente estudo foi utilizado o critério que combina aspectos topológicos e eletronegatividade (λmin x Δe) e o critério Log(RC), que é baseado em λmin e na entalpia de mistura. Através desses critérios foram selecionadas nove ligas do sistema Ti-Cu-Ni que foram elaboradas e solidificadas rapidamente em forma de fitas. As amostras foram caracterizadas por difratometria de raios X (DRX) e calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC). Os resultados experimentais foram confrontados com os indicativos dos dois critérios, assim como com outros critérios reportados na literatura. Os resultados mostraram que os critérios propostos apresentam baixa correlação com os resultados experimentais e direções para aperfeiçoamento dos critérios foram apontadas. Dentre as 9 composições, foram selecionadas 4 para o estudo da cinética de cristalização. Esse estudo foi realizado através de aquecimento das 4 amostras amorfas e acompanhado de uma análise minuciosa por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET), DSC e DRX, e teve como objetivo a determinação das primeiras fases a desestabilizar a estrutura amorfa e compará-las com as predições feitas pelos critérios Log(RC) e λmin x Δe. Esses resultados experimentais mostraram que as fases de cristalização condizem parcialmente com os resultados teóricos

Selection of compositions with high glass forming ability in the Ni-Nb-B alloy system

A combination of an extension of the topological instability "λ criterion" and the "average electronegativity" has been recently reported in the literature to predict compositions with high glass-forming ability (GFA). In the present work, both criteria have been applied to select the Ni61.0Nb36.0B3 alloy with a high glass-forming ability. Ingots were prepared by arc-melting and were used to produce ribbons processed by the melt-spinning technique further characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Ni61.0Nb36.0B3 alloy revealed a complete amorphization and supercooled liquid region ΔTx = 68 K. In addition, wedge-shaped samples were prepared using copper mold casting in order to determine the critical thickness for amorphous formation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that fully amorphous samples could be obtained, reaching up to ~800 µm in thickness