Effect of strain rate on the compressive behaviour of a Zr₅₆Al_10.9Ni_4.6Cu_27.8Nb_0.7 bulk metallic glass

Abstract

We report the study of the effect of strain rate on the compressive behaviour of a Zr₅₆Al_10.9Ni_4.6Cu_27.8Nb_0.7 bulk metallic glass. The results indicated that both the strength and plasticity of the glass increase with increasing the strain rate up to 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹, above which the strength and plasticity start to decrease. The enhanced mechanical properties under a strain rate of 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹ are due to the emission/propagation rate of the shear bands being consistent with the strain rate.

Keywords:

• amorphous alloys
• fracture
• plasticity
• shear bands
• strength

Acknowledgements

This study is supported by China–Australia Special Fund (51011120053) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (50823006 and 50825102).