Kinetics of structure formation in the vicinity of the glass transition
Jürgen E. K. Schawe, Jörg F. Löffler
Abstract
The structural stability of a gold-based bulk metallic glass (Au49Ag5.5Pd2.3Cu26.9Si16.3) was investigated by fast differential scanning calorimetry (FDSC). A chemically homogeneous glass (CHG) containing no quenched-in nuclei was produced using sufficiently fast cooling from the melt. To characterize the stability of this glass, the structural variations during annealing in the glassy state were investigated and a sequence of five different events observed. These are structural relaxation, an incubation period, nucleation, crystallization, and finally reorganization. The kinetics of these processes and the stability of the crystalline structures are discussed.
Topics & Concepts
Materials scienceDifferential scanning calorimetryNucleationGlass transitionAnnealing (glass)KineticsCrystallizationAmorphous metalStructural stabilityRelaxation (psychology)HomogeneousChemical physicsThermodynamicsCrystallographyComposite materialPolymerChemistryEngineeringAlloySocial psychologyStructural engineeringPhysicsQuantum mechanicsPsychologyMetallic Glasses and Amorphous AlloysMaterial Dynamics and PropertiesCultural Heritage Materials Analysis