Enhanced plasticity in a Zr-based bulk metallic glass containing nanocrystalline precipitates

This paper presents a class of Zr-based bulk glassy alloy with enhanced plasticity. The microstructure of this glassy alloy consists of dispersion of 2–5 nm nanocrystallites embedded in the glassy matrix. Under compression, this glassy alloy displays high strength up to 2250 MPa together with a large plastic strain of 5.5–14.5%. The improved plasticity is ascribed to the interaction between shear bands and nanocrystallites.