Structural characterization of Cu–Ti-based bulk metallic glass by advanced electron microscopy

The atomistic structure of a high-strength Cu42.5Ti41.5Ni7.5Zr2.5Hf5Si1 bulk metallic glass prepared by copper-mould casting has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). High-resolution TEM and high-angle annular dark-field observations revealed that crystalline nanoparticles with sizes less than 10 nm are embedded in an amorphous matrix. It was confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in combination with STEM that these nanoparticles possess higher copper content than the amorphous matrix. Nanobeam electron diffraction experiments indicated that their crystalline structure is basically face-centred cubic with ordered atomic arrangements.