9702263 Swenson Phase diagram models are created for bulk metallic glass forming systems and technologically important metallic glass -forming systems are thermodynamically modeled. The initial work is on a well-characterized, good glass- forming ternary system, Al-Cu-Zr, and an Al-base amorphous alloy system, Al- Ce-Ni. Phase diagram information (primarily isotherms and liquidus surfaces) is determined using classical metallurgical techniques, such as isothermal phase diagram sample preparation, differential thermal analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The constituent binary systems are modeled, followed by the ternary systems. These data are used to predict the optimum glass- forming composition regions of the system, and the results are compared with experimental bulk metallic glass samples fabricated by melt spinning or piston forging and data that in the literature. Differential scanning calorimetry is used to determine the glass transition temperatures of the amorphous alloys and to measure thermodynamic properties of the glass, such as heat capacity, that may be used to improve the thermodynamic model itself. A laboratory course entitled "Applied Thermodynamics of Materials" is integrated with current efforts to bring more modern, real world applications into the classroom. This course presents a series of laboratory exercises involving the four main classes of materials: metals, ceramics, electronic materials, and polymers. %%% The thermodynamic models that will be developed in the grant can be used to optimize the glass formability of metallic systems, as well as to derive more quantitative rules for creating improved glass forming alloys. ***
