Boron Concentration Induced Co-Ta-B Composite Formation Observed in the Transition from Metallic to Covalent Glasses

Abstract

Due to their unique property combination of high strength and toughness, metallic glasses are promising materials for structural applications. As the behaviour of metallic glasses depends on the electronic structure which in turn is defined by chemical composition, we systematically investigate the influence of B concentration on glass transition, topology, magnetism, and bonding for B concentrations x = 2 to 92 at.% in the (Co6.8±3.9Ta)100−xBx system. From an electronic structure and coordination point of view, the B concentration range is divided into three regions: Below 39 ± 5 at.% B, the material is a metallic glass due to the dominance of metallic bonds. Above 69 ± 6 at.%, the presence of an icosahedra-like B network is observed. As the B concentration is increased above 39 ± 5 at.%, the B network evolves while the metallic coordination of the material decreases until the B concentration of 67 ± 5 at.% is reached. Hence, a composite is formed. It is evident that, based on the B concentration, the ratio of metallic bonding to icosahedral bonding in the composite can be controlled. It is proposed that, by tuning the coordination in the composite region, glassy materials with defined plasticity and processability can be designed.