Formation area of amorphous thin V−Zr films prepared by cocondensation on hot substrates

Thin V_100-xZr_x-films of various compositions (10?x?87) are cocondensed onto hot substrates (280 K?T_s?803 K). The formation area of amorphous films is determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystallization temperatures are measured and crystallization products are identified. The glass formation area extends at room temperature from 15 at%-Zr to 69 at%-Zr. V₆₀Zr₄₀-films become amorphous up to 753 K. The extent of the glass formation area of V-Zr is quite similar to those of Co-Zr and Cu-Zr, although the heats of mixing of the three systems differ enormously. We conclude that the glass formation area of cocondensed Vanadium-Zirconium films is not determined by thermodynamical data, but seems to be dominated by the kinetic constraints of the cocondensation process.