Glass Transition by Gelation in a Phase Separating Binary Alloy

R. E. Baumer and M. J. Demkowicz
Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 145502 – Published 2 April 2013
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Abstract

We use molecular dynamics simulations to show that glass transition in a model phase separating amorphous alloy, Cu50Nb50, occurs by gelation. At the glass transition, a mechanically stiff, percolating network of atoms with icosahedral local packing forms at the interfaces between compositionally enriched regions. This low-energy network halts coarsening of the phase-separated structure and imparts shear resistance. These features of glass transition are remarkably similar to gelation processes in polymeric and colloidal gels.

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  • Received 30 September 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.145502

© 2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

R. E. Baumer* and M. J. Demkowicz

  • Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA

  • *rebaumer@mit.edu

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Vol. 110, Iss. 14 — 5 April 2013

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