Fracture instability in brittle Mg-based bulk metallic glasses

A densely packed striation structure is observed in the apparently featureless mirror area of the fracture surface of brittle Mg-based bulk metallic glass. Taylor instability analysis based on grease model combined with a competitive microvoid formation mechanism ahead of a blunted crack tip suggests that the fracture of metallic glass is controlled by both viscous flow and ductile fracture mechanism. Spacing size of the striation is correlated with macroscopic fracture toughness.