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In this article, we describe the characterization of a newly fabricated amorphous alloy system (TiZrNbCu)1−xCox covering a broad composition range from high-entropy (HEA) to Co-rich alloys (x ≤ 0.43). We investigated thermal stability, atomic and electronic structure, and magnetic and mechanical properties as a function of chemical composition x. One of the important findings is that all studied properties change their dependence on concentration x within the HEA range. In particular, it has been found that the average atomic volume deviates from Vegard's law for x > 0.2, the concentration for which the average atomic packing fraction suddenly changes. The valence band structure, studied with ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy, shows a split-band shape with 3d-states of Co approaching the Fermi level on increasing x. Due to the onset of magnetic correlations, magnetic susceptibility rapidly increases for x > 0.25. Very high microhardness increases rapidly with x. The results are compared with those for similar binary and quinary metallic glasses and with those for Cantor type of crystalline alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of a transition from conventional multicomponent alloys to high-entropy alloys (HEAs) is important both for understanding the formation of HEAs and for proper evaluation of their potential with respect to that of conventional alloys. We report the main result of such a study performed on (TiZrNbNi)1−xCux metallic glasses (MG) over a broad concentration range x ≤ 0.52 encompassing both high-entropy-MGs and Cu-based MGs. A comprehensive study of the composition, homogeneity, thermal stability, atomic structure, electronic structure, and magnetic susceptibility of 11 alloys has been performed. Thermal analysis revealed a rather weak variation of thermal parameters and glass forming ability with x. The study of the atomic structure showed a linear variation of average interatomic distances and atomic volumes close to those predicted by Vegard's law. The coordination numbers and atomic packing fractions were constant throughout the explored concentration range. The electronic density of states (DOS) showed a split-band structure with DOS close to the Fermi level dominated with d-states of Ti, Zr, and Nb. Accordingly, magnetic susceptibility decreased linearly with x and extrapolated to that of Cu. Thus, the studied alloys show ideal solution behavior similar to that of binary Cu-Ti, Zr, and Hf MGs. The results are compared with those for (TiZrNbCu)1−xNix MGs and (CrMnFeCo)1−xNix alloys and their impact on understanding the transition from high-entropy-MGs to conventional MGs with the same composition is briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]