Fast cooling rate enhances impact toughness in tungsten fiber-reinforced metallic glass composites

Ex -situ second -phase reinforced metallic glass composites (MGCs) hold great promise as damage -tolerant structural materials for practical applications. However, limitations in fabrication techniques have hindered significant improvements in MGC toughness. In this study, we introduce a novel experimental approach that employs suction casting technology with adjustable cooling rates to fabricate tungsten fiber -reinforced MGCs. The impact toughness of MGCs exhibits a direct correlation with the volume fraction of tungsten fibers, reaching its peak value of 42J/cm2 at a 16 % volume fraction. Notably, MGCs subjected to faster cooling rates demonstrate superior impact toughness compared to their slow -cooled counterparts. This enhancement can be primarily attributed to the rejuvenation effect and the resulting increase in fracture toughness within the MG matrix, a direct consequence of the faster cooling rate. The current research presents an innovative methodology for enhancing MGC toughness through the rejuvenation of the MG matrix.