Elastic deformation behavior of CuZrAlNb metallic glass matrix composites with different crystallization degrees

The room temperature brittleness has been a long standing problem in bulk metallic glasses realm. This has seriously limited the application potential of metallic glasses and their composites. The elastic deformation behaviors of metallic glass matrix composites are closely related to their plastic deformation states. The elastic deformation behaviors of Cu48−x Zr48 Al4 Nbx (x = 0, 3 at. %) metallic glass matrix composites (MGMCs) with different crystallization degrees were investigated using an in-situ digital image correlation (DIC) technique during tensile process. With decreasing crystallization degree, MGMC exhibits obvious elastic deformation ability and an increased tensile fracture strength. The notable tensile elasticity is attributed to the larger shear strain heterogeneity emerging on the surface of the sample. This finding has implications for the development of MGMCs with excellent tensile properties.