Size effect on beta relaxation in a La-based bulk metallic glass

This work studied the effect of the size of specimens on the β relaxation. Taking La70Ni15Al15 bulk metallic glass as a model material, via dynamic mechanical analysis, we found that the thickness of specimens can affect the intensity of β relaxation. Specifically, increasing the thickness of specimens can enhance intensity of β relaxation. For this enhancement, we proposed that the involvedly total free volume facilitates the β relaxed process. This finding gives a new insight on the structural relaxation of bulk metallic glasses, especially for understanding of origin of β relaxation.