Effect of Chromium on Thermal Stability and Corrosion Resistance in FeWB Bulk Metallic Glasses

doi:10.11900/0412.1961.2024.00168

Acta Metall Sin

2026, Vol. 62

Issue (3): 458-466 DOI: 10.11900/0412.1961.2024.00168

Research paper

Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search

Effect of Chromium on Thermal Stability and Corrosion Resistance in FeWB Bulk Metallic Glasses

XIAO Siming¹, LIU Tianhao², SU Chen¹, GUO Shengfeng¹(

)

^1.School of Materials and Energy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
^2.Chongqing Chuanyi Automation Co. Ltd., Chongqing 401121, China

Cite this article:

XIAO Siming, LIU Tianhao, SU Chen, GUO Shengfeng. Effect of Chromium on Thermal Stability and Corrosion Resistance in FeWB Bulk Metallic Glasses. Acta Metall Sin, 2026, 62(3): 458-466.

Download:

HTML

PDF(2027KB)
Export: BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)

Abstract

Bulk metallic glasses are thermodynamically metastable alloys with an amorphous structure that becomes increasingly unstable at temperatures above their glass transition temperature, leading to degradation of their advantageous properties. Thus, enhancing the thermal stability of bulk metallic glasses is critical for preserving their exceptional characteristics. Recently, our team successfully synthesized a Fe₅₉W₂₃B₁₈ (atomic fraction, %) bulk metallic glass that exhibits high thermal stability and further developed a series of (Fe_{1 -}_x Cr _x )₅₉W₂₃B₁₈ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25) bulk metallic glasses by incorporating Cr in this study. Results show that Cr addition notably enhanced the thermal stability of FeWB bulk metallic glasses, with (Fe_0.9Cr_0.1)₅₉W₂₃B₁₈ achieving a glass transition temperature of 954 K and an crystallization onset temperature of 994 K. This substantial increase in thermal stability is primarily attributed to Cr playing a role in the formation of strong metal-metalloid covalent bonds (Cr—B bonds), which enhance interatomic interactions. Additionally, the substantial presence of an Fe₂₃B₆-like medium-range order structure further stabilized the system. Furthermore, the corrosion resistance of the FeWB bulk metallic glass system was considerably improved by Cr addition, as indicated by an approximately 10-fold reduction in the corrosion current density. This enhancement can be primarily attributed to the formation of a dense Cr₂O₃ passivation layer on the alloy surface. However, the reduced pitting potential of Cr₂O₃ relative to WO₃ led to a slight decrease in the pitting corrosion resistance of the FeCrWB alloys.

Key words: Fe-based bulk metallic glass thermal stability corrosion resistance

Received: 17 May 2024

ZTFLH:

TG113.2

Fund: National Natural Science Foundation of China(52071276)

Corresponding Authors: GUO Shengfeng, professor, Tel: 13500330725, E-mail: sfguo@swu.edu.cn

	Service

	E-mail this article
	Add to citation manager
	E-mail Alert
	RSS
	（）
	Articles by authors
	XIAO Siming
	LIU Tianhao
	SU Chen
	GUO Shengfeng

URL:

https://www.ams.org.cn/EN/10.11900/0412.1961.2024.00168 OR https://www.ams.org.cn/EN/Y2026/V62/I3/458

Fig.1 XRD patterns of (Fe_{1 -}_x Cr _x )₅₉W₂₃B₁₈ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, and 0.25; atomic fraction, %. The corresponding samples are marked by Cr0, Cr0.05, Cr0.1, Cr0.15, Cr0.2, and Cr0.25, respectively) alloy rods with 1 mm diameter (a, b); backscattered electron image (c) and HRTEM image and selected area electron diffraction pattern (inset) (d) of Cr0.1 alloy rod

Fig.2 XRD patterns of Cr0 and Cr0.05 alloy rods with 1.5 mm diameter

Fig.3 DTA curves of FeCrWB alloys with different Cr contents (a), and the T_g and T_x of typical Fe-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) previously report-ed^[11,20-36] (b) (T_g—glass transition temperature, T_x—crystallization onset temperature)

Table 1 Thermal stability parameters and microhardnesses of FeCrWB alloys with different Cr contents

Fig.4 Microhardnesses of different Fe-based BM-Gs^{[9,11,33,36,37,39-42]} (a), and the relationship between T $g 3 / 2$ / V_m and σ of different metallic glasses^[43,44] (b) (V_m—molar volume of alloy, σ—fracture strength, C₀—constant)

Fig.5 Nyquist plots (Inset is a locally enlarged riew) (a), Bode phase plots (b), Bode plots (c), and equivalent circuit diagram (d) of FeCrWB alloys in 3.5%NaCl solution (Z'—real part of impedance; Z"—imaginary part of impedance; |Z|—modulus of impedance; R₁—solution resistance; R₂—charge transfer resistance; R₃—passive film resistance; W_s—Weber resistance; CPE, CPE₁, and CPE₂—constant phase elements)

Table 2 Electrochemical corrosion properties of FeCrWB alloys with different Cr in 3.5%NaCl solution

Fig.6 Potentiodynamic polarization curves of FeCrWB alloys with different Cr contents in 3.5%NaCl solution (a); plots of current density and time (b), double-lg plots of current density and time (c), and the correlation between space charge capacitance (C) and potential (E) of Cr0 and Cr0.1 alloys (d) (k—slope)

Fig.7 XPS of W4f of the passive films formed on the Cr0 (a) and Cr0.1 (b) alloys

Fig.8 Pitting potentials and passivation intervals of typical Fe-based metallic glasses and 316L stainless steel in 3.5%NaCl^[42,49-52]

[1]	Wang W H, Dong C, Shek C H. Bulk metallic glasses [J]. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2004, R44: 45
[2]	Lai L M, Ding K L, Liu T H, et al. Ternary Co-W-B bulk metallic glasses with ultrahigh strength [J]. J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 2020, 544: 120194 doi: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2020.120194
[3]	Puszkarz A, Wasiak M, Różański A, et al. Structural and magnetic properties of Finemet^TM doped with Ta [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2010, 491: 495 doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2009.10.242
[4]	Suo Z Y, Song Y L, Yu B, et al. Fabrication of tungsten-based metallic glasses by low purity industrial raw materials [J]. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2011, A528: 2912
[5]	Kim J, Kyeong J S, Ham M H, et al. Development of Mo-Ni-Si-B metallic glass with high thermal stability and H versus E ratios [J]. Mater. Des., 2016, 98: 31 doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2016.02.090
[6]	Li M X, Zhao S F, Lu Z, et al. High-temperature bulk metallic glasses developed by combinatorial methods [J]. Nature, 2019, 569: 99 doi: 10.1038/s41586-019-1145-z
[7]	Li H X, Lu Z C, Wang S L, et al. Fe-based bulk metallic glasses: Glass formation, fabrication, properties and applications [J]. Prog. Mater. Sci., 2019, 103: 235 doi: 10.1016/j.pmatsci.2019.01.003
[8]	Liu T H, Guo S F. Research progress of glass-formation rule and mechanical properties of Fe-based bulk amorphous alloys [J]. J. Mater. Eng., 2020, 48(11): 46
	刘天豪, 郭胜锋. 铁基块体非晶合金的形成规律与力学性能研究进展 [J]. 材料工程, 2020, 48(11): 46 doi: 10.11868/j.issn.1001-4381.2020.000389
[9]	Li Y C, Zhang C, Xing W, et al. Design of Fe-based bulk metallic glasses with improved wear resistance [J]. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2018, 10: 43144 doi: 10.1021/acsami.8b11561
[10]	Guo S F, Qiu J L, Yu P, et al. Fe-based bulk metallic glasses: Brittle or ductile? [J]. Appl. Phys. Lett., 2014, 105: 161901 doi: 10.1063/1.4899124
[11]	Liu T H, Lai L M, Xiao S M, et al. Ternary Fe-W-B bulk metallic glasses with ultrahigh thermal stabilities [J]. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2021, A826: 142034
[12]	Geng Y X, Wang Y M. Local structure-property correlation of Fe-based amorphous alloys: Based on minor alloying research [J]. Acta Metall. Sin., 2020, 56: 1558 doi: 10.11900/0412.1961.2020.00112
	耿遥祥, 王英敏. 铁基非晶合金局域结构与性能关联: 基于微合金化机理研究 [J]. 金属学报, 2020, 56: 1558 doi: 10.11900/0412.1961.2020.00112
[13]	Xu T, Pang S J, Li H F, et al. Corrosion resistant Cr-based bulk metallic glasses with high strength and hardness [J]. J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 2015, 410: 20 doi: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2014.12.006
[14]	Kim D H, Park J M, Kim D H, et al. Development of quaternary Fe-B-Y-Nb bulk glassy alloys with high glass-forming ability [J]. J. Mater. Res., 2007, 22: 471 doi: 10.1557/jmr.2007.0057
[15]	Lai L M, Liu T H, Cai X H, et al. High-temperature Mo-based bulk metallic glasses [J]. Scr. Mater., 2021, 203: 114095 doi: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2021.114095
[16]	Meng D, Yi J, Zhao D Q, et al. Tantalum based bulk metallic glasses [J]. J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 2011, 357: 1787 doi: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2011.01.020
[17]	Madge S V, Caron A, Gralla R, et al. Novel W-based metallic glass with high hardness and wear resistance [J]. Intermetallics, 2014, 47: 6 doi: 10.1016/j.intermet.2013.12.003
[18]	Takeuchi A, Inoue A. Calculations of mixing enthalpy and mismatch entropy for ternary amorphous alloys [J]. Mater. Trans., JIM, 2000, 41: 1372 doi: 10.2320/matertrans1989.41.1372
[19]	Kalescky R, Kraka E, Cremer D. Identiﬁcation of the strongest bonds in chemistry [J]. J. Phys. Chem., 2013, 117A: 8981
[20]	Li Q, Li J F, Gong P, et al. Formation of bulk magnetic ternary Fe₈₀P₁₃C₇ glassy alloy [J]. Intermetallics, 2012, 26: 62 doi: 10.1016/j.intermet.2012.03.045
[21]	Liu D Y, Sun W S, Wang A M, et al. Preparation, thermal stability, and magnetic properties of Fe-Co-Zr-Mo-W-B bulk metallic glass [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2004, 370: 249 doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2003.09.116
[22]	Ma R D, Zhang H F, Yu H S, et al. The effect of Al substitution on thermal and mechanical properties of Fe-based bulk metallic glass [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2008, 454: 370 doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2006.12.071
[23]	Guo S F, Wu Z Y, Liu L. Preparation and magnetic properties of FeCoHfMoBY bulk metallic glasses [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2009, 468: 54 doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2008.01.066
[24]	Pan J, Chen Q, Li N, et al. Formation of centimeter Fe-based bulk metallic glasses in low vacuum environment [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2008, 463: 246 doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2007.09.124
[25]	Shi M J, Pang S J, Zhang T. Towards improved integrated properties in FeCrPCB bulk metallic glasses by Cr addition [J]. Intermetallics, 2015, 61: 16 doi: 10.1016/j.intermet.2015.02.010
[26]	Jia Y Z, Zeng S Y, Shan S F, et al. Effect of copper addition on the glass forming ability of a Fe-Co based alloy [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2007, 440: 113 doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2006.09.018
[27]	Xu T, Jian Z Y, Chang F G, et al. Synthesis of Fe₇₅Cr₅(PBC)₂₀ bulk metallic glasses with a combination of desired merits using industrial ferro-alloys without high-purity materials [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2017, 699: 92 doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2016.12.322
[28]	Chen Q J, Zhang D L, Shen J, et al. Effect of yttrium on the glass-forming ability of Fe-Cr-Mo-C-B bulk amorphous alloys [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2007, 427: 190 doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2006.03.013
[29]	Yang W M, Wan C, Liu H S, et al. Fluxing induced boron alloying in Fe-based bulk metallic glasses [J]. Mater. Des., 2017, 129: 63 doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2017.05.020
[30]	Xu M, Quan M X, Hu Z Q, et al. Thermal stability and magnetic properties of amorphous Fe-based alloys with significant supercooled liquid region [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2002, 334: 238 doi: 10.1016/S0925-8388(01)01756-X
[31]	Shen J, Chen Q J, Sun J F, et al. Exceptionally high glass-forming ability of an FeCoCrMoCBY alloy [J]. Appl. Phys. Lett., 2005, 86: 151907 doi: 10.1063/1.1897426
[32]	Chen Q, Zhang D, Shen J, et al. Effect of yttrium on the glass-forming ability of Fe-Cr-Mo-C-B bulk amorphous alloys [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2007, 427: 190 doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2006.03.013
[33]	Pang S J, Zhang T, Asami K, et al. Bulk glassy Fe-Cr-Mo-C-B alloys with high corrosion resistance [J]. Corros. Sci., 2002, 44: 1847 doi: 10.1016/S0010-938X(02)00002-1
[34]	Huang X M, Chang C T, Chang Z Y, et al. Glass forming ability, mechanical and magnetic properties in Fe-W-Y-B alloys [J]. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2010, A527: 1952
[35]	Liang D D, Wei X S, Chang C T, et al. Effect of W addition on the glass forming ability and mechanical properties of Fe-based metallic glass [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2018, 731: 1146 doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.10.104
[36]	Suryanarayana C, Inoue A. Iron-based bulk metallic glasses [J]. Int. Mater. Rev., 2013, 58: 131 doi: 10.1179/1743280412Y.0000000007
[37]	Guan P F, Sun S J. Atomic-level study in the structure and its instability of metallic glasses [J]. Acta Metall. Sin., 2021, 57: 501 doi: 10.11900/0412.1961.2020.00514
	管鹏飞, 孙胜君. 金属玻璃结构及其失稳的原子层次研究 [J]. 金属学报, 2021, 57: 501 doi: 10.11900/0412.1961.2020.00514
[38]	Hirata A, Hirotsu Y, Amiya K, et al. Fe₂₃B₆-type quasicrystal-like structures without icosahedral atomic arrangement in an Fe-based metallic glass [J]. Phys. Rev., 2009, 80B:140201(R)
[39]	Gu X J, Poon S J, Shiflet G J, et al. Ductility improvement of amorphous steels: Roles of shear modulus and electronic structure [J]. Acta Mater. 2008, 56: 88 doi: 10.1016/j.actamat.2007.09.011
[40]	Shen B L, Inoue A, Chang C T. Superhigh strength and good soft-magnetic properties of (Fe,Co)-B-Si-Nb bulk glassy alloys with high glass-forming ability [J]. Appl. Phys. Lett., 2004, 85: 4911 doi: 10.1063/1.1827349
[41]	Lu Z P, Liu C T, Thompson J R, et al. Structural amorphous steels [J]. Phys. Rev. Lett., 2004, 92: 245503 doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.245503
[42]	Zhang J W, Su C, Zhang X P, et al. Fe-based bulk metallic glass with high thermal stability and corrosion resistance [J]. J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 2024, 643:123176 doi: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2024.123176
[43]	Qu R T, Liu Z Q, Wang R F, et al. Yield strength and yield strain of metallic glasses and their correlations with glass transition temperature [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2015, 637: 44 doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2015.03.005
[44]	Bi J Z, Wei X Q, Liu X B, et al. OsCo-based high-temperature bulk metallic glasses with robust mechanical properties [J]. Scr. Mater., 2023, 228: 115336 doi: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2023.115336
[45]	Yang X D, Gao M, Liu Y H, et al. Superior corrosion resistance of high-temperature Ir-Ni-Ta-(B) amorphous alloy in sulfuric acid solution [J]. Corros. Sci., 2022, 200: 110227 doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2022.110227
[46]	Zhang L M, Zhang S D, Ma A L, et al. Thermally induced structure evolution on the corrosion behavior of Al-Ni-Y amorphous alloys [J]. Corros. Sci., 2018, 144: 172 doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2018.08.046
[47]	Gan Z, Zhang C, Zhang Z R, et al. Crystallization-dependent transition of corrosion resistance of an Fe-based bulk metallic glass under hydrostatic pressures [J]. Corros. Sci., 2021, 179: 109098 doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2020.109098
[48]	Xu T, Li X, Zhuo L C, et al. Synthesis of Cr₅₀Fe₆Co₇Mo₁₄C₁₅B₆Y₂ bulk metallic glass with integrated merits by high-content solvent element substitution and the structural origin [J]. J. Mater. Res. Technol., 2021, 14: 220 doi: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.06.074
[49]	Liu D Y, Zhang H F, Hu Z Q, et al. Magnetic and corrosion properties of Fe₅₆Co₇ M₂Mo₅Zr₁₀B₂₀ (M = W or Ni) bulk metallic glasses [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2006, 422: 28 doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2005.11.071
[50]	Guo S F, Chan K C, Xie S H, et al. Novel centimeter-sized Fe-based bulk metallic glass with high corrosion resistance in simulated acid rain and seawater [J]. J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 2013, 369: 29 doi: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2013.02.026
[51]	Zhang X P, Lai L M, Xiao S M, et al. Effect of W on the thermal stability, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Fe-based bulk metallic glass [J]. Intermetallics, 2021, 143: 107485 doi: 10.1016/j.intermet.2022.107485
[52]	Li J W, Yang L J, Ma H R, et al. Improved corrosion resistance of novel Fe-based amorphous alloys [J]. Mater. Des., 2016, 95: 225 doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2016.01.100

[1]	LUO Haiwen, LIN Xiong, LIU Gaoyang, HU Bin. Progress and Perspectives on Metallic Bipolar Plates in Fuel Cells[J]. 金属学报, 2026, 62(2): 263-274.
[2]	LONG Fei, LIU Qu, ZHU Yixing, ZHOU Mengran, CHEN Gaoqiang, SHI Qingyu. Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Modified Mg-5Zn Alloy via Friction Stir Processing[J]. 金属学报, 2025, 61(7): 1071-1081.
[3]	SUN Jun, LIU Gang, YANG Chong, ZHANG Peng, XUE Hang. Heat-Resistant Al Alloys: Microstructural Design and Preparation[J]. 金属学报, 2025, 61(4): 521-525.
[4]	CAI Zhengqing, YIN Dawei, YANG Liang, WANG Wenxiang, WANG Feilong, WEN Yongqing, MA Mingzhen. Effect of Ag Substitution of Cu on Properties of Zr-Ti-Cu-Al Amorphous Alloys[J]. 金属学报, 2025, 61(4): 572-582.
[5]	FU Hui, SUN Yong, ZOU Guodong, ZHANG Fan, YANG Xusheng, ZHANG Tao, PENG Qiuming. Research Progress in High-Performance Ultrahigh-Pressure Treated Magnesium Alloys[J]. 金属学报, 2025, 61(3): 475-487.
[6]	JIANG Shujia, YANG Hongran, LI Chuanqiang, WANG Naiguang, WANG Desheng. Effect of Long-Period Stacking Ordered Phase Content on the Corrosion Resistance of As-Extruded Mg-Y-Zn-Mn Alloy[J]. 金属学报, 2025, 61(12): 1803-1816.
[7]	GUO Jiaming, CHEN Nan, HE Xiaoyan, WEI Jie, CHEN Huiqin, DONG Junhua, KE Wei. Effect of Deformation Spheroidization Treatment on the Corrosion Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Pearlite Steel in Simulated Cargo Oil Tank Inner Substrate Environment[J]. 金属学报, 2025, 61(12): 1858-1872.
[8]	DU Wenli, HOU Chao, LI Yurong, HAN Tielong, SONG Xiaoyan. Effect of Cr and Sc on High-Temperature Stability of Grain Structure in W-Based Alloys[J]. 金属学报, 2025, 61(11): 1664-1672.
[9]	YANG Jiawei, ZHOU Dekai, ZHAO Liyuan, WANG Tianyu, LI Xiaolin, YANG Hongbo, WANG Haifeng. Effect of Solution Treatment on Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Cr-Ni-Co-Mo Maraging Stainless Steel[J]. 金属学报, 2025, 61(11): 1715-1726.
[10]	HU Fusheng, WANG Zhihui, SONG Fengyu, WU Kaiming. See Water Corrosion Resistance Performance of Acicular Ferrite in a Low-Alloy High-Strength Steel Weld Metal[J]. 金属学报, 2025, 61(11): 1727-1737.
[11]	MENG Ze, LI Guangqiang, LI Tengfei, ZHENG Qing, ZENG Bin, LIU Yu. Effect of Ce on Cleanliness, Microstructure, and Pitting Corrosion Resistance of 75Cr1 Steel[J]. 金属学报, 2024, 60(9): 1229-1238.
[12]	YANG Binbin, SONG Yuanyuan, HAO Long, JIANG Haichang, RONG Lijian. Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Low-Carbon Martensitic Stainless Steel 0Cr13Ni4Mo with 3%Cu Addition[J]. 金属学报, 2024, 60(12): 1656-1666.
[13]	ZHOU Xiaowei, JING Xueyan, FU Ruixue, WANG Yuxin. Codeposition Behaviors and Anti-Corrosive Mechanism of Ni-Co-Zn Ternary Alloys[J]. 金属学报, 2024, 60(11): 1499-1511.
[14]	ZENG Yunpeng, YAN Wei, SHI Xianbo, YAN Maocheng, SHAN Yiyin, YANG Ke. Effect of Copper Content on the MIC Resistance in Pipeline Steel[J]. 金属学报, 2024, 60(1): 43-56.
[15]	SI Yongli, XUE Jintao, WANG Xingfu, LIANG Juhua, SHI Zimu, HAN Fusheng. Effect of Cr Addition on the Corrosion Behavior of Twinning-Induced Plasticity Steel[J]. 金属学报, 2023, 59(7): 905-914.

No Suggested Reading articles found!

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed