Annealing effect on beta-relaxation in a La-based bulk metallic glass

A pronounced secondary β-relaxation is observed in a La-based bulk metallic glass that has a critical size at least 20 mm in diameter. It is demonstrated that the β-relaxation is sensitive to the exothermic event below the glass transition (Tg), which can be mediated by a short time sub-Tg annealing, causing the atomic rearrangement in local cages. However, the correlation between β-relaxation and ambient compressive plasticity is not obvious in this alloy.