A method locating Cu-Ti-based glass formers using Ni-Zr binary clusters

Formation abilities and mechanical properties are essential for the application of amorphous alloys. In this work, the concept of similar elements has been expanded to similar clusters. Firstly, taking the topologically dense packed clusters Ni-Ni6Zr6 from the Ni-Zr system as the basic structural unit, a series of Cu-Ti-based alloy compositions with high formation ability are parsed and designed. The best composition is Cu46.15Ni7.69Ti32.70Zr13.46 with the cluster expression of Ni-Cu6Zr1.75Ti4.25. Then, the amorphous formation abilities are analyzed from the perspective of the packing degree of clusters and the mixing entropies. Secondly, the crystallization activation energies for characteristic temperatures deduced by Kissinger's approach are analyzed. Finally, the plasticity of Cu-Ti-based amorphous alloys is investigated and Cu46.15Ni7.69Ti32.70Zr13.46 exhibits outstanding fracture strength of 2168 MPa. The results in this paper lay the foundation for further exploration of amorphous alloys with high formation ability, good thermal stability, and high compressive plasticity.