Chemistry effects on the compressive property and Weibull modulus of Zr-based bulk metallic glasses

•Compressive mechanical behavior of a series of Zr-based BMGs was investigated.•The malleability of investigated Zr-based BMGs exhibits compositional dependence.•The enhancement of malleability can be attributed to the variations of μ/B or ν.•Two-parameter Weibull moduli m seems to correlate with the malleability of BMGs.•Improvement in m of BMGs roughly scales with increasing ν, reducing μ or Tg.

ABSTRACTIn this study, the variations in compressive mechanical properties of a variety of Zr-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) were analyzed. Systematic changes in composition were employed to modify the compressive malleability of the Zr-based BMGs. The enhancement on the malleability of investigated Zr-based BMGs could be correlated with the variations in Poisson's ratio. Two-parameter Weibull statistical analysis was performed on their compressive strengths over a statistically significant number of specimens. High compressive strength reliability demonstrated by its high uniformity in strength was found on the Zr-based BMGs. Malleable Z4 (Zr66Al9Ni8.3Cu16.7) BMG showed a higher Weibull modulus (m = 71) as compared with the less malleable Z1 (Zr53Al16Co23.25Ag7.75) BMG (m = 38), implying a more uniform distribution of compressive failure strength and a higher reliability. The correlation of m with the intrinsic malleability of Zr-based BMGs was discussed by the variations in the Poisson's ratio, the shear modulus or the glass transition temperature.