The dynamic compressive behavior of Wf/Zr-based metallic glass composites

The dynamic compressive behavior of Wf/Zr-based bulk metallic glass composite was investigated using the split Hopkinson pressure bar experimental techniques. The present results demonstrated that under dynamic compressive conditions the yield strength of composite increased significantly, and the strain softening and the failure strain decreasing took place. Unlike the deformation and failure mode of the drum shape observed under quasi-static conditions, the failure modes were changed to the longitudinal splitting and mixture mode of split and shear from formed internal cracks when the strain rate increased. The yield strength increasing under high strain rate was attributed to the hardening of the reinforcement Wf. Due to the interaction between the softening of metallic glass matrix and the hardening of the reinforcement Wf as well as the formation of the cracks, the composites exhibited strain softening and premature failure, which causes the decrease of the strain to failure. It is believed that the interaction of the anisotropy of the composites and the strain rate softening of the BMG matrix as well as the strain rate hardening of the Wf is responsible for the variety of the failure mode.