Mechanical behaviour of Zr-La-Cu-Ni-Al glass-based composites

► Novel Zr-La-Cu-Ni-Al glass-crystal composites synthesised, using amorphous phase separation. ► Mechanical behaviour studied: both embrittlement and toughening can occur. ► Explanation given in terms of the properties of the glassy matrix and the crystalline dispersions. ► Quantitative evidence for the heating upon fracture of the Zr-rich glassy composites.