Effect of aqueous environment on fatigue-crack propagation behavior in a Zr-based bulk amorphous metal

Recently, a number of strongly glass forming metallic alloys have been found, most prominently the Zr-Ti-Cu-Ni-Be, Zr-Cu-Ni-Al, and Pd-Cu-Ni-P systems, which may be produced in bulk form. Despite such promising mechanical properties, there is little information available on the performance of these glasses in electrochemically active environments. Consequently, in the present study, the authors examine the fatigue properties of the Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 amorphous metal in the presence of three environments, ambient air, de-ionized water, and sodium chloride solution, with the specific goal of identifying the role of environment in the fatigue-crack growth process