Controllable Structure and Superior Mechanical Properties of Metallic Glasses through Atomic Manufacturing

Abstract In structural metallic materials, the arrangement of atoms in an orderly fashion plays a pivotal role in governing crucial properties like strength and plasticity. However, how to effectively manipulate the atomic order within the material to overcome the longstanding strength-plasticity trade-off remains an immense challenge. Atomic manufacturing, a revolutionary approach that starts from the smallest building blocks, exhibits immense promise in creating entirely novel materials with disruptive capabilities, thus overcoming the longstanding challenge of order manipulation. In this study, we introduce an atomic manufacturing approach for fabricating diverse nanostructures with varying degrees of order in a typical Zr50Cu40Al10 alloy composition. It was found that these structures demonstrate a broader range and superior mechanical properties compared to existing Zr-based alloys. Notably, significant advancements have been made in achieving a balance between strength and plasticity through both spinodal glass and dual-phase nanostructures. An exceptional mechanical performance is achieved in a spinodal glass, which retains more than 75% plasticity while achieving an ultrahigh yield strength of 3.89 GPa. The findings show that the novel spinodal structure undergoes dynamic atomic intermixing during plastic deformation, effectively mitigating the occurrence of catastrophic fracture. This work highlights the tremendous potential of atomic manufacturing and structural order modulation in exploring and realizing materials with versatile and optimal performance characteristics.