Quantitative evaluation of lengthscales for temperature rise in shear bands and for failure of metallic glasses

The energetics of shear bands in metallic glasses are evaluated with a property database and finite element simulation. Lengthscales for temperature rise and failure are derived. Literature reports show that shear displacement occurs in a thickness of a few tens of nanometers. Then, the temperature rises and the shear band propagates with loss of traction. A slab contributes elastic energy to the band, which is tens to hundreds of micrometers thick. Some of the micrometer thickness is heated above the glass transition.