Distinct Mechanical Properties and Stability in Zr-Based Metallic Glasses Fabricated by Conventional Quenching and Atomic Manufacturing

Atomic manufacturing is a new and attractive manufacturing method proposed to prepare metallic glasses (MGs). In this work, the mechanical and stability properties of Zr-based MGs manifested by atomic manufacturing method (pulsed laser deposition) and conventional quenching are investigated. Compared with MGs produced through conventional processing, our atomically engineered glassy state displays synergistically improved properties including strength, hardness and deformability alongside a substantially elevated crystallization resistance. Comprehensive characterization reveals that the concurrent enhancement of multiple properties originates from the abundance of medium-range-order woven into the glassy structure. This work presents an effective path to construct MGs with excellent properties through atomic manufacturing, thereby propelling novel perspectives on harnessing the intrinsically metastable nature of the glassy state for advanced material design.