Abstract:Bulk metallic glass (BMG) rods Fe₇₁Mo_5−xNb_xP₁₂C₁₀B₂ (x=1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) with diameter of 1 or 2 mm were synthesized by copper mold casting. The effects of Nb substitution for Mo on the structure, thermal and mechanical properties of Fe₇₁Mo_5−xNb_xP₁₂C₁₀B₂ alloys were studied by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and compressive testing. The results show that the substitution of Nb for Mo leads to a decreased glass forming ability, but with plasticity of 1.0%, the fracture strength of Fe₇₁Mo₂Nb₃P₁₂C₁₀B₂ alloy increases up to 4.0 GPa. The improvement of the fracture strength is discussed in terms of the enhancement of atomic bonding nature and the favorite formation of a network-like structure due to the substitution of Nb for Mo.

Key words: Fe−(P, C)-based bulk metallic glass; Nb; forming ability; mechanical properties