The Tribological Behaviors in Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass with High Heterogeneous Microstructure

Abstract

Microstructural inhomogeneity of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) plays a significant role in their mechanical properties. However, there is hardly ant research concerning the influence of heterogeneous microstructures on tribological behaviors. Hence, in this research, the tribological behaviors of different microstructural-heterogeneity BMGs sliding in-air were systematically investigated, and the corresponding wear mechanisms were disclosed via analyzing the chemical composition and morphology of the wear track. Higher microstructural-heterogeneity BMGs can possess a better wear resistance both under dry sliding and a 3.5% NaCl solution. The results suggest that microstructural heterogeneity enhancement is a valid strategy to improve the tribological performance of BMGs.