Plasticity enhancement of Mg58Cu28.5Gd11Ag2.5 based bulk metallic glass composites dispersion strengthened by Ti particles

We have successfully synthesized the Ti particles reinforced Mg58Cu28.5Gd11Ag2.5 metallic glass composites (BMGCs) rods with a diameter of 2–4 mm by injection casting method in an Ar atmosphere. The glass forming ability (GFA) and the mechanical properties of these Mg-based BMGCs have been systematically investigated as a function of volume fraction (Vf) of Ti particles. The results show that the compressive plasticity increases with the volume fraction of Ti particles. A drastic improvement of compressive plastic strain (reach up to 24%) occurs at the Mg-based BMGC with 40 vol.% Ti particles. In parallel, multiple shear bands were revealed on the sample surface after compression test. This suggests that these dispersed Ti particles can highly absorb the energy of shear banding and branch the primary shear band into multiple shear bands, thus decrease the stress concentration for further propagation of shear band and so as to significantly enhance plasticity. Additionally, the yield strength can be kept at 800 MPa as increasing the addition of Ti particles to 40 vol.%. This was found presumably due to the good bonding of interface between the Ti particle and amorphous matrix.