Study of mechanical deformation of Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5 bulk metallic glass through instrumented indentation

Instrumented sharp indentation experiments using both conical and Vickers diamond pyramidal indenters were carried out to study deformation characteristics of Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5 bulk metallic glass. Finite element simulations of instrumented indentation were also performed to formulate an overall constitutive response. Comparing the experimentally obtained results with the finite element predictions, it can be stated that mechanical deformation of the bulk metallic glass can be described well by both Mohr–Coulomb and Drucker–Prager constitutive criteria. Using these criteria, the extent of material pile-up observed around the indenter was also estimated very well.

► The studied material follows both Mohr–Coulomb and Drucker–Prager yield function.
► Both of the yield criteria can predict successfully pile up around the indenter.
► There is no difference between predictions made by each of the yield criteria.