Abstract:The glass-forming ability(GFA) is an important factor in studying metallic glasses. So far, there are several criteria for evaluating the glass-forming ability. For predicting compositions for bulk metallic glasses, however, they show more or less accuracy and versatility for different cases. In this work, four types of criteria for the glass-forming ability are categorized and reviewed: 1) Indicators with characteristic temperatures; 2) Indicators involving structural factors; 3) Indicators based on Miedema’s model; and  4) Indictors based on phase diagram. It is pointed out that a single indicator cannot be used to predict GFA of all the metallic glass systems correctly due to its limited theoretical framework, and the combination of multiple indicators shows more efficiency and accuracy. Though it is still very difficult to develop a universal indicator for GFA, recent indicators seem to be of more reliable physical meaning than those previously suggested.

Key words: glass-forming ability; metallic glass; thermodynamics; phase diagram; electronic structure