Synthesis of super-dense bulk metallic glasses under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K04992
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 26010:Metallic material properties-related
• Research Institution: High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (2020-2021); National Institute for Materials Science (2019)
• Principal Investigator: Shibazaki Yuki 大学共同利用機関法人高エネルギー加速器研究機構, 物質構造科学研究所, 特別助教 (10730830)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 金属ガラス / 高温高圧 / 局所構造

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Pressure-induced structural changes in metallic glasses have been of great interest as they are expected to open new ways to synthesize novel materials with unexpected properties. We investigated the effect of simultaneous high-pressure and high-temperature treatment on the structure and properties of a Zr50Cu40Al10 metallic glass by in situ X-ray structure measurement and property analysis of the final material. We found the unusual formation of Cu-rich nanocrystals at high pressure and temperature, accompanied by significant strength and hardness enhancement. Based on reverse Monte Carlo modeling and molecular dynamics simulations, the structure of the metallic glass changed to a densely packed, chemically uniform configuration with high short-range and medium-range ordering at high pressure and temperature. These results show that high-pressure annealing processes provide a new way to improve and control properties without changing their composition.

Free Research Field

高圧力科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

金属ガラスは、結晶金属にはない優れた機械的・磁気的特性を有する実用金属材料である。この金属ガラスを高圧熱処理することで、機械的性能が向上することが今回明らかになった。希少金属を添加することで部分ナノ結晶化を誘発し、機械的性能が向上することは、これまでにも分かっていたが、高圧熱処理が同様の効果をもたらし、より効果的に性能を向上させることが本研究によって明らかになった。これにより、希少金属に頼らない、新たな性能向上のプロセス確立が期待される。