Nanoindentation analysis of the mechanical behavior of Zr-based metallic glasses with Sn, Ta and W additions

Zr57Cu20Al10Ti8Ni5 and modified composition by adding Sn, W or Ta are studied using standard mechanical test and nanoindentation. Addition of refractory elements with a Sn micro-addition increases clearly the Young's modulus and the hardness of basic BMG. However, Sn reduces plasticity. Moreover these experiments allowed, in confine plasticity conditions, estimating an apparent activation volume associated to a plastic deformation (≈150 Å3).