Metallic glasses (MGs) are amorphous metals that lack long-range atomic order, resulting in exceptional mechanical properties. Recent studies have shown that Zr-based MGs can achieve yield strengths exceeding 2 GPa while maintaining elastic strains up to 2%, far surpassing crystalline metals. This is due to the absence of dislocations, which typically limit plasticity in crystalline materials. The Zr65Cu15Al10Ni10 MG exhibits a fracture toughness of over 80 MPa·m^1/2, making it suitable for structural applications requiring high strength-to-weight ratios.
The thermal properties of MGs are equally remarkable. Certain MGs exhibit glass transition temperatures (Tg) as low as 300°C, enabling thermoplastic forming at relatively low temperatures. For example, Pd-based MGs can be molded into complex shapes with feature sizes as small as 10 nm using nanoimprinting techniques. This opens up possibilities for manufacturing microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and biomedical devices with unprecedented precision and functionality.
MGs also demonstrate excellent corrosion resistance due to their homogeneous structure devoid of grain boundaries or defects that act as initiation sites for corrosion. The FeCrMoCB MG has shown a corrosion rate of less than 0.001 mm/year in seawater environments, outperforming even titanium alloys (0.01 mm/year). This makes MGs ideal for marine engineering applications where durability is critical under prolonged exposure to corrosive media like saltwater or acidic solutions.
Recent research has focused on improving the ductility of MGs through nanoscale engineering strategies such as introducing second phases or designing hierarchical structures within amorphous matrices—a concept known as 'nanoglass.' These approaches have led to increases in tensile elongation from <1% up towards ~5%, offering new pathways toward overcoming brittleness limitations inherent within traditional monolithic metallic glasses.
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