An intrinsic plastic Cu(45)Zr(46)Al(7)Ti(2) bulk metallic glass (BMG) with high strength and superior compressive plastic strain of up to 32.5% was successfully fabricated by copper mold casting. The superior compressive plastic strain was attributed to a large amount of randomly distributed free volume induced by Ti minor alloying, which results in extensive shear band formation, branching, interaction and self-healing of minor cracks. The mechanism of plasticity presented here suggests that the creation of a large amount of free volume in BMGs by minor alloying or other methods might be a promising new way to enhance the plasticity of BMGs.

Irradiation damage of FeCrCo, AlNiCo, SmCo, and NdFeB permanent magnets was investigated by using γ-ray irradiation. Results of magnetic property measurement show that FeCrCo and NdFeB have more demagnetization than AlNiCo and SmCo. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that γ-ray irradiation leads to the increase of FeCrCo crystal mismatch and decrease of AlNiCo ordering degree. The investigations by positron annihilation spectroscopy technique show that the defects in AlNiCo and SmCo increase after γ-ray irradiation. The defects induced by γ-ray irradiation in NdFeB magnets are not the main source that leads to partial demagnetization. The irradiation resistances of these magnets are discussed in detail considering the thermal stability, coercivity mechanisms, and defect damage.

In this study, the effects of tempering temperature on the microstructure, hardness, antibacterial performance and corrosion resistance of Cu‐bearing 5Cr15MoV martensitic stainless steel (5Cr15MoV‐Cu MSS) were investigated using an optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope, X‐ray diffraction, a transmission electron microscope, an antibacterial test, electrochemical measurements, and the salt spray test. The results showed that the hardness curve had a saddle shape and its values reached the peak value after tempering at 500°C, due to the secondary hardening effect by the precipitation of tiny secondary carbides and Cu‐rich precipitates. In addition, the antibacterial results also showed excellent antibacterial performance against Escherichia coli at 500°C because of the formation of Cu‐rich precipitates. Results of corrosion tests indicated that the corrosion resistance decreased gradually with an increase of the tempering temperature. In particular, the passivation did not occur when the tempering temperature was above 500°C, which may be related to the Cu‐rich precipitates and Cr depletion.