In situ synthesis of TiC reinforced Cu47Ti34Zr11Ni8 bulk metallic glass composites

In situ synthesized TiC particles and β-Ti dendrites reinforced Cu47Ti34Zr11Ni8 bulk metallic glass (BMG) composite ingots were prepared by the suction casting method. The ingots with diameters from 1 up to 4 mm were successfully obtained. It was shown that introducing TiC micro-sized particles into the amorphous matrix did not disturb the glass forming ability (GFA) of the matrix, while the yield strength and ductility could be well improved. The phase constitution, microstructure and elements distribution in the composites were studied by OM, XRD, SEM and EDS. It was shown that the in situ synthesized TiC particles acting as heterogeneous nucleation sites promoted the precipitation of β-Ti dendrites, resulting in the formation of the TiC particles and β-Ti dendrites co-reinforced BMG composites. The compressive tests were employed to probe the yield strength and ductility of BMG composites.