Double-Win Properties Response of Mechanical and Hydrogen Absorption in Melt-Spun Ti-Zr-Ni-Cr Amorphous Metals

The effect of spinning rates on mechanical properties and hydrogen absorption/desorption properties of Ti47Zr31Ni14Cr8 amorphous ribbons have been investigated in the present work. A fully amorphous structure was confirmed by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of the ribbons obtained from spinning rates of 30 m s−1 to 45 m s−1. The uniformity of amorphous ribbons and their mechanical properties were improved with the increase in the spinning rate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the fracture surface of amorphous ribbons had a cleavage feature and vein-like pattern when the spinning rates were 30 m s−1 and 45 m s−1, respectively. Because of the influence of flow units on the kinetic process of hydrogen absorption, the hydrogenation kinetics and hydrogen desorption capacity of amorphous ribbons were enhanced with the increased spinning rates. After the amorphous ribbons absorbed a large amount of hydrogen, ZrH2, TiH2, and (ZrTi)2Ni7 crystalline phases were formed from the amorphous matrix. Hydrogen promotes amorphous phase decomposition and the crystallinity of the new phases led to deterioration of the mechanical properties.