Glass formation in Fe-Cr-Zr-B-Mo alloys by tuning Nb addition

Fe-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) with high boron content have potential application as a coating material used in the framework for storing spent nuclear fuels to support their safe long-term disposal. The high glass forming ability (GFA) and large supercooled liquid region are therefore required for such Fe-based BMGs in either the glassy powder fabrication or the subsequent coating spraying. In order to meet these requirements, the influence of Nb content on the GFA of Fe₅₇Cr₁₀Zr₈B₁₈Mo_7?xNb_x (x=1–5, at.%) alloys was investigated, as Nb has positive roles in GFA and thermal stability of BMGs. The results indicate that a fully amorphous phase in the as-cast samples with 3 mm in diameter is obtained for both the Fe₅₇Cr₁₀Zr₈B₁₈Mo₅Nb₂ and Fe₅₇Cr₁₀Zr₈B₁₈Mo₄Nb₃ alloys. The corresponding supercooled liquid regions of the two BMGs are 78 K and 71 K, respectively. The mechanism for improving their GFA was analyzed based on the principle of metal solidification, the parameters for glass formation and thermal properties of the alloys. The compression strength and Vicker’s hardness of the two BMGs are 1,950 MPa and 1,310 HV, 2,062 MPa and 1,180 HV, respectively. The developed BMGs with high B content, good GFA, and very high hardness can be used as coating materials to the framework for spent nuclear fuels.