On the deformation morphology of bulk metallic glasses underneath a Vickers indentation

The techniques commonly used for observing the deformation mechanisms underneath a Vickers indentation in metallic glasses (chemical etching, bonded interface) induce artefacts such as cracks or semi-circular shear-bands. We propose an alternative technique based on the propagation of indentation corner cracks through a pre-existing imprint, which is possible in metallic glasses such as iron-based compositions. With this procedure, only radial shear-bands are observed. Comparisons between the chemical etching or the bonded interface techniques and the new technique are made.