Effect of cooling rate on the bending plasticity of Zr55Al10Ni5Cu30 bulk metallic glass

► Zr55Al10Ni5Cu30 glassy plates with thickness of 1-3 mm were prepared. ► Bending tests were performed after the as-cast plates machined to the same size. ► A “large-small-large” plasticity change with the decreasing cooling rate. ► Free volume and structural heterogeneity are responsible for plasticity change.