Analysis of bulk metallic glass formation using a tetrahedron composition diagram that consists of constituent classes based on blocks of elements in the periodic table

The formation of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) has been analyzed with a tetrahedron composition diagram, which is comprised of constituent classes from blocks of elements in the periodic table. When Al and Ga are involved in the BMG composition environment, they are assumed to correspond to either s- or p-block elements. The analysis under the assumption reveals the presence of a composition band that connects the composition regions over different classes of BMGs. The diagram has a topological simplicity, is applicable to any multi-component alloy system, and can be analyzed from the bonding nature of the atomic pairs. Thus, this diagram is an important tool for analyzing and developing BMGs. © 2007 The Japan Institute of Metals.