Polyamorphism mediated by nanoscale incipient concentration wave uncovering hidden amorphous intermediate state with ultrahigh modulus in nanostructured metallic glass

Comprehending the pressure-/temperature-induced structural transition in glasses,as one of the most fascinating issues in material science,is far from being well understood.Here,we report novel polyamorphic transitions in a Cu-based metallic glass(MG)with apparent nanoscale structural heterogeneity relating to proper Y addition.The low-density MG compresses continuously with increasing pressure,and then a compression plateau appears after∼8.1 GPa,evolving into an intermediate state with an ultrahigh bulk modulus of∼467 GPa.It then transforms to a high-density MG with significantly decreased structural heterogeneity above∼14.1 GPa.Three-dimensional atom probe tomography reveals concentration waves of Cu/Zr elements with an average wavelength of∼5-6 nm,which promote the formation of interconnected ringlike networks composed of Cu-rich and Zr-rich dual-glass domains at nanometer scale.Our experimental and simulation results indicate that steplike polyamorphism may stem from synergic effects of the abnormal compression of the Zr-Zr bond length at the atomic scale and the interplay between the applied pressure and incipient concentration waves(Cu and Zr)at several nanometer scales.The present work provides new insights into polyamorphism in glasses and contributes to the development of high-performance amorphous materials by high-pressure nanostructure engineering.

Excellent magnetic softness-magnetization synergy and suppressed defect activation in soft magnetic amorphous alloys by magnetic field annealing

Fe-based amorphous alloys with high saturation magnetic flux density(B_(s))are increasingly attractive from both scientific and technological points of view,however,they usually suffer from the trade-off between magnetization and softness.In this work,we explore the soft magnetic properties(SMPs),magnetic and atomic structures,and defect activation during creep deformation of as-quenched and annealed Fe_(82.65-x)Co_(x)Si_(2)B_(14)Cu_(1.35)(x=0-20)amorphous alloys(AAs).Improved magnetic softness-magnetization synergy has been realized in all these alloys by field annealing.Particularly,superb SMPs with superhigh B_(s) of 1.86 T,low coercivity of 1.2 A/m and high effective permeability of 16300 are obtained in the Fe_(66.65)Co_(16)Si_(2)B_(14)Cu_(1.35) AA.The locally regularized arrangement of domains,homogenized structure with less structural/magnetic defects and suppressed crystal-like ordering by field annealing contribute synergistically to the superb SMPs.Besides,the relaxation time spectra obtained from creep deformation indicate less liquid-like and solid-like defects activated in the field-annealed AA,which is correlated with the structural homogenization and superb SMPs.This work provides new and comprehensive insight into the interplay among external field,heterogeneous structure,SMPs and defect activation of Fe-based AAs,and offers a promising pathway for softening amorphous alloys with high Bs.