Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2011
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were performed on a-Zr2 PdHx, a-Zr3 RhHx, a-Zr76 Fe24 Hx, and a- Zr2NiHx to assess the effects of hydrogen on their thermal stabilities. Only exothermic DSC peaks were observed for the hydrogen-free glasses and are shown to correspond to the formation of crystalline intermetallic phases. On the other hand, heating of the amorphous hydrides gives decomposition reactions with the generation of ZrHx (1.5 <x < 2.0) and either free metal (e.g., Rh) or a Zr-depleted intermetallic (e.g., ZrPd). With the exception of the Zr2 PdHx samples, hydrogenation significantly decreases the thermal stabilities (i.e., the exothermic transitions occur at lower temperatures in the amorphous hydrides). Endothermic peaks, which are associated with hydrogen evolution from the glass, are observed when the hydrogen-to-metal ratios approach unity.