The temperature dependent dynamic mechanical response of a ZrCuNiAl bulk metallic glass

In the present work, the mechanical response of Zr50.7Cu28Ni9Al12.3 (at.%) bulk metallic glass (BMG) has been studied at a high strain rate of 1.0 × 103 s−1 from 123 K to 743 K. The higher testing temperature yields the more molten liquid layer in the fracture surface of the broken BMG samples. It is found that the compressive strength increases as the testing temperature decreases from 743 K to 123 K. The strength displays a t2/3 (t = T/Tg, T is the testing temperature, and Tg is the glass transition temperature) temperature dependence. The experimental results have been interpreted in terms of shear transformation zone theory.

► The dynamic mechanical response of a ZrCuNiAl bulk metallic glass has been investigated.
► With increasing the temperature, thicker molten liquid layer appears in the fracture surface.
► The strength dramatically increases with decreasing the testing temperature.