Conditions for Obtaining “Thick” Amorphous Wires by the Ulitovsky–Taylor Method

Abstract

The existing methods for obtaining amorphous wires of large diameters from a melt are considered. The advantages of the Ulitovsky–Taylor method for obtaining amorphous wires in a wide range of diameters with stable geometric characteristics are underlined. The factors that affect the process of obtaining “thick” amorphous wires by a continuous version of the Ulitovsky–Taylor method are analyzed. It is demonstrated why it is necessary to use alloys with a high glass-forming ability and with melting temperatures of 950–1150°C. The practicability of introducing technological additives (Nb, Mo, Cr, etc.) is justified. It is noted that, to ensure a continuous process of producing a “thick” wire, it is necessary to use a high-purity precursor with stable geometric parameters. A variant of a quenching device is proposed for cooling a melt jet with a counterflow of water. The technique for removing the glass cover is based on elastic bending of the metal core and brittle cracking of glass. The technology for producing “thick” wires was tested. Long wires with diameter of 50–200 μm with a high set of properties were manufactured.