Abstract

In this study, the mechanical properties and deformation features of Zr-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) are investigated at micro-scale via in situ micro-pillar compression. Furthermore, the effects of the strain rate and micro-pillar diameter on respective stress–strain curves are investigated. Together with the mechanical properties, such unique in situ micro-pillar compression techniques provide physical status to the micro-pillars, referring to the instances of stress–strain curves. It is noted that the effect of the strain rate on the stress–strain behaviour of the BMG diminishes with increasing micro-pillar diameter. In contrast, yield and ultimate compressive strength increase with increasing micro-pillar diameter, up to 4 µm. The deformation details after compression, as a result of conformed mechanical loading, are analysed by SEM and TEM. As evident from electron microscopy investigation, the plastic deformation is evidenced by the presence of multiple slip/shear bands, acting as load accommodation mechanisms in the course of mechanical loading together and resemble local plastic flow (ductile in nature) between two shear plans.

Highlights

  • As pointed out later by Yavari et al [24] and Gloriant et al [25], one of the reasons behind such a discrepancy is the formation of nanocrystalline zones [26] dispersed within the bulk metallic glass (BMG), which can be either mechanical- or temperature-induced

  • All the pure elements (Zr, Ti, Ni, Cu and Be with 99.99% purity) with respective nominal composition of the alloy were poured in the mould and melted by arc in an inert furnace filled with argon gas

  • The BMG is homogeneous in nature and there is no existence of any defects, such as the porosities and the cavities

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Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. As pointed out later by Yavari et al [24] and Gloriant et al [25], one of the reasons behind such a discrepancy is the formation of nanocrystalline zones [26] dispersed within the BMGs, which can be either mechanical- or temperature-induced These discrepancies show that mechanical responses of BMGs are a complex process, and conventional macro-scale experimental procedures such as hardness testing, tensile testing and tribological behaviour etc., are not enough to investigate the fundamental deformation behaviour of such materials. Zr- and Ti-based BMG is one of the most commonly investigated materials in tribological applications, as evident in literature, due to their high glass-forming ability, together with excellent mechanical properties [27,28] In this light, the present research approach is to investigate the fundamental deformation behaviour of. The acquired knowledge from this investigation will help to attain a fundamental understanding of micro-mechanical properties of BMGs, together with the role of extrinsic size effect as well as strain rate

Materials
Characterization of Microstructure
Results and Discussion
In Situ Compression of Micro-Pillars
Microstructure
Effect of Micro-Pillar Diameter on Stress–Strain Curves
Effect of Strain Rate on Stress–Strain Curves
Deformation of Micro-Pillars during Compression
Typical

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