Ternary bulk metallic glasses formed by minor alloying of Cu8Zr5 icosahedron

Icosahedron Cu8Zr5, derived from the Cu8Zr3 phase structure, corresponds to the deepest eutectic Cu0.618Zr0.382. Near this composition is the best glass-forming Cu–Zr composition, Cu0.64Zr0.36. (Cu0.64Zr0.36)1−xMx and (Cu0.618Zr0.382)1−xMx were examined for glass formation, where M represents Nb, Sn, Mo, Si, V, Ag, or Ta. A series of Cu–Zr based bulk metallic glasses are discovered with minor Nb, Sn, Mo, Ag, and Ta additions (lower than 3at.%). The minor alloying mechanism was discussed in the light of atomic size and electron concentration factors.