Amorphization Induced by Ion Mixing in Some Y-Based Binary Metal Systems

Amorphization behavior is studied for several Y-based binary metal systems by room temperature 360 keV xenon ion mixing of multiple metal films to doses ranging from 7 × 1014 to 1 × 1016 Xe/cm2. In all systems studied, amorphization is achieved after ion mixing to the relevant doses. Interesting results are observed in the Ti-Y system, having rather positive heat of formation, i.e. 16 kJ/mol. A metastable crystalline Ti-Y phase is formed, for the first time, at medium dose ion mixing, and complete amorphous phase is formed in a narrow composition range, i.e. around Ti45Y55. Recrystallization temperatures of all formed amorphous alloys are determined by both, in-situ transmission electron microscopy annealing and confined furnace annealing. Possible interpretation is given to the observations by comparing with those proposed models for predicting glass forming ability.