Nanoindentation analysis of the mechanical behavior of Zr-based metallic glasses with Sn, Ta and W additions

Abstract

Zr 57Cu 20Al 10Ti 8Ni 5 and modified composition by adding Sn, W or Ta are studied using standard mechanical test and nanoindentation. Addition of refractory elements with a Sn micro-addition increases clearly the Young's modulus and the hardness of basic BMG. However, Sn reduces plasticity. Moreover these experiments allowed, in confine plasticity conditions, estimating an apparent activation volume associated to a plastic deformation (≈150 Å 3).