Optimizing mechanical and electrical properties of Cu-coated Cu–Zr–Al bulk metallic glass composites by adjusting glassy powder size

In the rapidly developing modern industrial fields, the materials used are often required to have simultaneously high strength and high electrical conductivity. However, these two properties often conflict and cannot be met at the same time. In the present study, we developed the Cu/Cu–Zr–Al bulk metallic glass (BMG) composites which exhibited simultaneously high strength and high electrical conductivity, as well as large plasticity. The BMG composites were fabricated by using spark plasma sintering crystalline Cu-coated Cu–Zr–Al metallic glass composite powders. The effect of particle size of the Cu–Zr–Al metallic glass powders on mechanical properties and electrical properties of the BMG composites was investigated systematically. Microstructure of contact interfaces between crystalline Cu and Cu–Zr–Al metallic glass was also characterized and discussed. This study is expected to provide an effective technical approach for the development of new high strength and high conductivity materials.