Critical obstacle size to deflect shear banding in Zr-based bulk metallic glass composites

(a) Stress-strain curves of the Zr53Cu22Ni9Al8Ta8 BMGC samples, plastically strained to various strain levels before fracture. The insert shows the deformed specimens to different plastic strain levels. (b) A representative TEM micrograph shows the deflection of shear band in the deformed specimens subject to plastic strain of 15%. The insert images at upper right side is the associated electron diffraction pattern and at lower right side is the enlarged image at the area indicated by arrow.