About Amorphous Alloy

Amorphous alloys, also known as metallic glasses, are a unique class of materials that lack the long-range atomic order found in crystalline metals. These alloys are produced by rapidly cooling molten metal at rates of approximately 10^6 K/s, preventing the atoms from arranging into an ordered crystalline structure. This results in a random, liquid-like atomic arrangement that gives amorphous alloys their distinctive properties.

The Planar Flow Casting (PFC) process is the primary method used to manufacture amorphous alloy ribbons suitable for transformer cores. In this process, molten metal is ejected through a slotted nozzle onto a rapidly rotating copper wheel or substrate. The main feature of PFC is the formation of a stable molten metal puddle between the nozzle lips and the moving substrate, which travels at speeds of about 30 m/s (100 ft/s). This stable puddle enables continuous casting of amorphous ribbons with well-defined dimensions. Due to the need for rapid solidification, ribbon thickness is typically limited to less than 100 μm (4 mils). The PFC process allows for the efficient production of amorphous alloy ribbons with consistent quality and properties, making it possible to manufacture these materials on a commercial scale for applications such as transformer cores.

PFC amorphous alloy ribbon manufacturing

Metal atomic structure

Amorphous alloy atomic structure