Analysis of plastic strain and deformation mode of a Zr-based two-phase bulk metallic glass in compression

A ductile phase-separated Zr-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) deformed to different strains at room temperature and low strain rate was characterized. The BMG samples were compressed to nominal strains of 3%, 7%, and 10%, after which the samples were unloaded for morphological observation using scanning electron microscopy. The morphological observation was subsequently used for the interpretation of the measured load–displacement curves. It was found that the BMG exhibited apparent uniform deformation initially (at plastic strain <1%) and, then, visible local shear bands began to developed. Afterwards, a principal shear band was soon developed and dominated the deformation process until fracture. In this study, we also found that the local shear strain varies along the principal shear plane and decreases monotonically from the shear band initiation site.