SIMAP-rubrique-equipe-GPM2-240327

Metallic glasses : forming, structure and properties

Research activities related to metallic glasses are mainly focused on elaboration, thermoforming properties, capacity to get plasticity at room temperature and relation between structure and functional properties. In the recent past, a particular attention was given to a possible “scale effect” in the case of metallic glasses despite the lack of specific internal length as it can be observed for polycrystals. It has been shown that significant plasticity combined with high tensile strength could be obtained in the case of thin films in metallic glasses. In parallel, a start-up dedicated to the production of small parts in metallic glasses is under progress.

   

Elaboration platform and start up project

Examples of elaborated BMG components and including the logo of the being created start-up

Bulk metallic glasses can be elaborated thanks to a dedicated elaboration platform including various equipments, like arc melting, cold and hot crucibles, suction devices, etc. Zirconium, copper or titanium based BMG are frequently elaborated. A project of creation of a start-up (called METAMORPH) dedicated to the production of metallic glasses small complex shape components also under progress.

   

Thermoforming properties


Example of surface relief obtained by thermoforming of a metallic glass

Metallic glasses can exhibit particularly large forming capacities when they are deformed in their supercooled liquid region (typically for temperatures larger than the glass transition temperature Tg). Mechanisms of deformation in such conditions are studied and thermoforming maps have been established for a large number of metallic glasses. Due to their lack of grains, thermoforming of metallic glasses can also result in particularly nice surfaces after deformation. This capacity can be used to induce fine surface reliefs. A study in collaboration with IST Lisbon is under progress to compare the type of reliefs that can be obtained by thermoforming and by laser processing.

   

Relation between structure and properties


Typical density fluctuation map obtained by HRAFM before and after relaxation

 

Structure of metallic glasses remains an open question. High resolution atomic force microscopy techniques have shown that fluctuation in density can be clearly observed in amorphous structures and that relaxation treatments can modify significantly such fluctuations. Work is also under progress to optimize functional properties of metallic glasses, like thermal diffusivity or thermo-electricity. Effect of amorphous structure on these properties is particularly investigated and in some cases, appropriate thermal treatments are performed to elaborate amorphous / crystallite composites.

   

Scale effect in metallic glasses

Capacity of tensile plastic deformation at room temperature of metallic glass thin film


Mechanical properties of thin films in metallic glasses have been investigated. It has been shown that high mechanical strength combined with significant plasticity in tension at room temperature could be obtained in the case of Zr based metallic glass films elaborated by PVD, which is not possible for bulk conditions. These results suggest that “scale effect” can be present in the case of metallic glasses and support the idea of the interest of thin films.

 Selected Publications:

PhD and post-docs

M. Ghidelli,
P. Hervier,
A. Lenain,
B. Lavisse,
X. Cerruti,
N. Mendil

Collaborations

French RENATECH network,
Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium),
Université d’Anvers (Belgium),
Université Paris XIII (F),
Université de Rennes (F),
Hong Kong Polytechnic University,
IST Lisbon (Portugal).