Temperature invariant flow stress during microcompression of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass

The elevated temperature mechanical response of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) was examined using in situ microcompression in a scanning electron microscope at temperatures up to 387 °C. The flow stress was found to remain constant with temperature at ∼2 GPa below the glass transition temperature, Tg. The magnitude of the stress drops/serrations in the stress–strain curve was found to increase with temperature. Above Tg, plastic flow was observed to be homogeneous without any shear band formation.