Role of nanocrystals in ductile Ni-Pd-P metallic glass

A Ni50Pd30P20 bulk glassy alloy contains nanoscale clusters/medium-range order (MRO) zones. However, as this alloy exhibits “nucleation and growth” type transformation on heating, these nanoscale clusters are believed to have an under-critical size. The relatively large activation energy is the reason why these nanoscale clusters do not grow significantly upon deformation. A clear nucleation and growth of a Ni2Pd2P phase is observed near the micro-crack area. The existence of MRO zones as structural inhomogeneities and blockage of the crack-tip propagation area by the dynamically formed nanoparticles may lead to stabilization of deformation.