Micro-electro-discharge Machining of Bulk Metallic Glasses

Microholes and three-dimensional microstructures machined on the La₆₂Al₁₄Ni₁₂Cu₁₂, Zr₅₅Al₁₀Ni₅Cu₃₀ and Cu₄₆Zr₄₄Al₇Y₃ bulk metallic glasses by micro-electro-discharge machining are evaluated in this study. The recast layer and heat affected zone surrounding the entry edge of the holes and the surface quality of three-dimensional microstructures were qualitatively analyzed using SEM, and the mechanical performance tests around the holes were carried out by nanoindentation. The experiment results demonstrated that the machined samples kept the amorphous structure without devitrification and the machining characteristics are related to the thermophysical properties of the alloys.