Mechanical response of Ti-based bulk metallic glass under static and dynamic indentations

• Dynamic hardness is obviously greater than that under static indentation.
• Dynamic indentation induced severer deformation than that under static indentation.
• The formation of semi-circular and radial shear bands underneath indentation tips.
• Substantial shear bands and numerous shear-offsets formed in dynamic indentation.

Vickers hardness and plastic deformation of Ti-based bulk metallic glass (Ti-BMG) were investigated under both static and dynamic indentations. Dynamic hardness is obviously greater than that under static indentation, which is attributed to the combination effects of energy barriers and separation of nanocrystallizations from the metallic glass during dynamic indentation. Although dynamic indentation induced more severe deformation than that under static indentation, the deformation characteristics in the two loading cases are nearly the same: both exhibiting semi-circular shear bands on the top surface and a mixture of semi-circular and radial shear bands underneath the indentation tips. The most obvious difference between the two kinds of indentations is that substantial successive shear bands accompanied by numerous shear-offsets formed in dynamic indentation while obviously less shear bands and shear-offsets formed in static indentation.