Free Volume in Amorphous Alloys and Its Change under External Influences

— The effect of excess free volume on the structure and crystallization of amorphous metal alloys is considered. Its change is an important characteristic of such alloys. The changes in the free volume during structural relaxation, aging, heat treatment, deformation, and irradiation are given. It is shown that the fraction of excess free volume in the material depends on the composition of the alloy and the conditions for its preparation and changes under various external influences, which can contribute to both a decrease and an increase in the fraction. An increased fraction of excess free volume affects the physical properties and evolution of the structure and contributes to the acceleration of crystallization of the amorphous phase. The ability to control the fraction of free volume in a sample opens up new ways to control the structure and, as a result, the properties of materials.