| Abstract: | The formation and thermal stability of an icosahedral quasicrystalline phase in an annealed Zr65Al7.5Ni10Cu12.5Ag5 metallic glass have been investigated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analyses. It was found that the quasicrystalline phase can precipitate from the glassy state and the supercooled liquid of the alloy over a wide range of annealing temperatures. After optimizing the heat-treatment conditions, the volume fraction of the quasicrystalline phase in the alloy can reach as high as about 80%. Investigation of the thermal stability of the quasicrystalline phase demonstrates that it is very stable when the annealing temperature is below the glass transformation temperature T g of the alloy. |
