Crystallization of Mg-based bulk metallic glass

Mg-based bulk metallic glass fabricated by conventional copper mould method was aged at different temperatures. X-ray diffractometry(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), atomic force microscopy(AFM) and focused ion beam(FIB) miller were employed to examine specimens obtained under different conditions. The crystallization of Mg-based bulk metallic glass depends upon both the aging temperature and the aging time. As temperature increases or the holding time increases, the microstructure of the aged specimen varies from glassy one to crystalline one plus glassy phase and then to absolutely multiphase crystalline one. From the FIB images, it is clear that Mg-based bulk metallic glass could not only crystallize completely but also display dendrite-like growth style. From the AFM images, there are not only significant variations of microstructures but also surface morphology of specimens obtained under different conditions. It is proposed that the surface morphology varies as the treating temperature increases. The Vickers hardness of different specimens increases as the fraction of crystalline phase (s) increases.