Abstract: Nd₆₀Al{₁₀Co_30-xNi_x (x=0, 5, 10 and 15 at. pct) metallic glasses have been prepared using single-spinner and suck-casting method, and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetric technique. It has been found that the alloy with 15 at. pct Ni has the strongest glass forming ability, and can be fabricated to a rod with 5 mm in diameter using suck-casting. The addition of Ni has an obvious effect on the thermal behavior of the metallic glasses, especially on the position of the second and third crystallization peaks. The crystallization kinetics and activation energies of the four metallic glasses have been elaborated using the Kissinger equation. The continuous heating transformation curves of the T_x and T_p1 have been constructed by applying the extension of the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) nonlinear equations, which are derived from the experimental data in the heating rate range of 5--80~K/min. The effect of Ni on the formation and thermal stability of the Nd-based metallic glasses has been discussed.

Key words: Nd-based metallic glass, Nickel, Glass forming ability, Thermal stability