Advanced structural analysis of a laser additive manufactured Zr-based bulk metallic glass along the build height

Additive manufacturing of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) has opened this material class to an exciting new range of potential applications, as bulk-scale, net-shaped amorphous components can be fabricated in a single step. However, there exists a critical need to understand the structural details of additive manufactured BMGs and how the glassy structure is linked to the mechanical properties. Here, we present a study of structure and property variations along the build height for a laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) processed Zr-based BMG with composition Zr59.3Cu28.8Nb1.5Al10.4 commercially termed AMZ4, using hardness testing, calorimetry, positron annihilation spectroscopy, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. A lower hardness, more rejuvenated glassy structure was found at the bottom of the build compared to the middle region of the build, with the structure and properties of the top region between the two. Such differences could not be attributed to variability in chemical composition or crystallisation; rather, the softer bottom region was found to have a larger medium range order cluster size, attributed to heat dissipation into the build plate during processing, which gave faster cooling rates and less reheating compared to the steady-state middle of the build. However, at the top of the build less reheating occurs compared to the middle, leading to a somewhat softer and less relaxed state