Effect of Pulsed Laser Welding Process on Microstructure, Crystallization, and Mechanical Properties of Zr57Nb5Cu15.4Ni12.6Al10 Bulk Metallic Glass

Abstract Avoiding crystallization while maintaining the original microstructure and mechanical properties of the material are long-term goals of laser welding of Zr-based bulk metallic glass (BMG). In this paper, the effect of pulsed laser welding parameters on the microstructure, crystallization degree, and mechanical properties of Zr57Nb5Cu15.4Ni12.6Al10 BMG is investigated. Non-crystallized welding forming of a zirconium-based amorphous alloy is achieved by optimizing the process parameters of pulsed laser welding. The crystallization degree of Zr-based BMG is mainly determined by the welding speed and power. The welding depth and crystallization area fraction increase with an increase in the effective peak power density. The optimized welding process can effectively reduce the heat accumulation of the weld, thus avoiding crystallization. The flexural strength of the weld can be maintained at 96.5% of the matrix.