A thermal processing map of a ZrCuNiAlEr bulk metallic glass in the supercooled liquid region

Thermal compression tests of (Zr0.6336Cu0.1452Ni0.1012Al0.12)(97.4)Er-2.6 bulk metallic glass (BMG) were performed at temperature of 410, 420, 430 and 440 degrees C and strain rates of 5 x 10(-4), 10(-3), 5 x 10(-3) and 10(-2) s(-1), and a thermal processing map was constructed in the supercooled liquid region. The results indicate that in low strain rate regions (5x10(-4)-10(-3)s(-1)), the processing efficiency range is 70-85% and stress range is 70-120MPa with temperatures of 410 and 420 degrees C, and the samples can be thermally processed under relatively small stress and show better fluidity, so temperatures of 410 and 420 degrees C and the strain rate range of 5 x 10(-4)-10(-3)s(-1) are optional thermal processing parameters. When the temperature is 430 degrees C and the strain rate range is 5 x 10(-4)-10(-2) s(-1), the processing efficiency range is 75-85%, and the stress range is 16-106 MPa. The (Zr0.6336Cu0.1452Ni0.1012Al0.12)(97.4)Er-2.6 BMG can be thermoformed under smaller flow stress and shows excellent fluidity; therefore, 430 degrees C and 5 x 10(-4)-10(-2) s(-1) also are optional thermal processing parameters.