Thermal stability and electron irradiation effect on Zr-based amorphous alloys

Specimens of Zr66.7Cu33.3, Zr65.0Al7.5Cu27.5, and Zr65.0Al7.5Ni10.0Cu17.5 amorphous alloys with different thermal stability were irradiated by high energy electrons at an accelerated voltage of 2000 and 1000 kV. Electron irradiation was performed at 298 and 103 K. Crystallization of three amorphous alloys was accelerated by this irradiation and nanocrystalline structures were obtained. The critical total dose required for crystallization of the amorphous phase by electron irradiation depends strongly on the irradiation temperature and stability of this amorphous phase. The phase stability and crystallization behavior of the amorphous phase are discussed based on the electron irradiation effect.