Characteristics of Shear Bands and Fracture Surfaces of Zr₆₅Al_7.5Ni₁₀Pd_17.5 Bulk Metallic Glass

Abstract

In this work, the characteristics of shear bands and fracture surfaces of Zr₆₅Al_7.5Ni₁₀Pd_17.5 bulk metallic glass fractured by a tensile test was investigated. Zr₆₅Al_7.5Ni₁₀Pd_17.5 bulk metallic glass shows a yield stress of approximately 1.3 GPa, a fracture stress of approximately 1.5 GPa and a tensile plastic strain of 0.1–0.2% irrespective of the applied strain. Wavy, meandering shear bands were observed in the relatively wide area of specimen surfaces around the point of failure, and typical vein patterns were observed on the fracture surfaces. Shear bands and fracture surfaces were further examined by confocal microscopy to obtain more precise information on their roughness. On the other hand, evidence of viscous flow due to crack propagation was also obtained around the edge at the point of failure on specimen surfaces by confocal microscopy. The deformability of Zr₆₅Al_7.5Ni₁₀Pd_17.5 bulk metallic glass is discussed on the basis of the obtained results.