Tension behavior of free-standing amorphous film and amorphous–crystalline nanolaminates in submicron scale

Free-standing amorphous ZrCu film and amorphous–crystalline ZrCu/Cu nanolaminates are subjected to membrane deflection experiments to investigate their tensile deformation. The ZrCu specimen exhibits poor deformability with brittle fracture. In comparison, moderate plasticity occurs for the nanolaminates, and the plasticity increases as the thickness of the individual layers decreases from 100 down to 25 nm. The ZrCu/Cu nanolaminates with a layer thickness of 25 nm exhibit a fracture angle close to 45° and a dimpled fracture surface, implying moderate tensile ductile fracture.