Cryogenic treatment induced hardening of Cu45Zr45Ag7Al3 bulk metallic glass

Little is known about the mechanical properties of bulk metallic glassy alloys (BMGs) after cryogenic treatment (CT). Cu45Zr45Ag7Al3 BMGs were treated in cryogenic temperatures for four chosen holding times. Compared with the as-cast sample, the compressive fracture strength of this BMG increased with increasing CT time. Furthermore, the CT changes the fracture mode from the ductile to the brittle. And CT brought about the precipitation of the AlCu2Zr and Cu5Zr phases which were accompanying with the morphology modification and contributed to the mechanical properties improvement of this BMG.