Mechanical response of amorphous ZrCuTi/PdCuSi nanolaminates under nanoindentation

In this paper, the relationship between mechanical response and shear band evolution for ZrCuTi (ZCT)/PdCuSi (PCS) nanolaminates under nanoindentation is discussed. Comparing to the monolithic amorphous ZCT and PCS films, the ZCT/PCS nanolaminates exhibit enhanced hardness and a more homogenous deformation mode. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy observations show that the shear-band patterns beneath the indent in ZCT/PCS nanolaminates are irregular and convoluted, and appear to be a mixture of the semi-circular shear bands and radial shear bands.

► Interaction of radial and semi-circular shear bands.
► Strong barrier effects.
► A more homogeneous mode.