Microstructure and mechanical properties of crystalline particulates dispersed Ni-based metallic glassy composites fabricated by spark plasma sintering

Using the mixed powders of the gas-atomized Ni-based metallic glassy alloy powder blended with metal W or ceramic SiC particulates, we fabricated large-size bulk glassy alloy composites (GACs) by a spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the prepared GAC specimens were investigated, and the effect of addition amount of the crystalline particulates on the properties of the sintered GAC specimens was discussed. The Ni-based bulk GACs with ultrahigh strength and enhanced plasticity were produced. The improvement of plasticity of the fabricated bulk GACs is attributed to the structural inhomogeneity caused by the addition particulates inclusion. The optimum content of the crystalline particulates is about 5-10 vol.%. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.