Zirconium based bulk metallic glass / tungsten fibre composite — fabrication and characterization

The aim of the present work was to fabricate and characterize a composite consisting of Zr based bulk metallic glass as the matrix and W fibres as the reinforcement. This kind of composite because of its very high impact toughness has got widespread applications including in some strategic areas. The glass forming Zr52Ti6Al10Cu18Ni14 (at%) alloy was selected for this purpose because of its high glass forming ability and tungsten was selected as the reinforcing medium because of its high melting point, non reactivity with the liquid phase and high strength. The composite was fabricated in a unique way where a preform of W wires was made and the glass forming alloy was vitrified with this preform as reinforcement using the copper mold casting technique The composite produced was characterized using optical microscopy and EPMA studies. Compression testing was done to evaluate the mechanical properties of the composite.