Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 February 2011
We present the results of a molecular dynamics simulation of the crystalline-to-amorphous transformation in the ordered intermetallic compound NiZr, using embedded-atom potentials. It is found that NiZr can be amorphized by random atom exchanges as well as by the introduction of Frenkel pairs. In both cases, the shear elastic constants C44 and C decreased drastically and eventually became equal. The average shear elastic constant fell to about 40% of its original value. These results are in general agreement with experimental observations.