Effect of temperature on the yield strength of a binary CuZr metallic glass: Stress-induced glass transition

Compression tests were conducted on the binary Cu50Zr50 metallic glass in a temperature range below glass transition temperature where deformation mode was inhomogeneous. The yield strength of the glass was found to decrease monotonically with the increase of testing temperature in a non-linear fashion. The strength–temperature relation for the binary glass, as well as several other metallic glass systems, could be well correlated through the concept of stress-induced glass transition. The viscosity in the propagating shear band of the binary glass was also measured and found to be insensitive to the sample size and test temperature.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We conducted micro-compression tests on a binary CuZr metallic glass at elevated temperatures. ► We established the strength–temperature relation, and uncovered its physical significance to be associated with the stress-induced glass transition. ► We correlated the athermal stress limit of various metallic glasses with the shear resistance of the glass.