Influence of spark plasma sintering parameters on the mechanical properties of Cu₅₀Zr₄₅Al₅ bulk metallic glass obtained using metallic glass powder

Gas atomized Cu₅₀Zr₄₅Al₅ amorphous powder was densified by spark plasma sintering, in order to obtain bulk metallic glasses with larger size than that obtained by the conventional casting strategy. The influence of different parameters was investigated: sintering temperature, isothermal holding time as well as size of the specimens. After optimization of the processing parameters, dense and amorphous specimens were elaborated with a diameter up to 30 mm. Thermal stability and mechanical properties of consolidated samples are similar to those of Cu₅₀Zr₄₅ Al₅ cast alloy. A hardness of 535 HV and a compressive strength of 1600 MPa have been obtained. Fractographic investigation indicated an intergranular rupture mode which leads to lower toughness compared to as the cast material, but for these samples the size is limited to 3 mm. However an increase in applied pressure (from 90 MPa to 1 GPa) induces a significant improvement in bonding between powder particles.