Energy-state-dependent mechanical and structural heterogeneity in metallic glasses probed by nanoindentation

The plastic deformation behavior of metallic glasses is sensitive to the structural states, i.e., as-cast, aged and rejuvenated states. In the current work, Zr50Cu40Al10 metallic glass with different energy states, which were tuned by high-pressure torsion method, is studied by nanoindentation. With...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Fu, S.Q., Duan, Yajuan, Tao, Kai, Song, KaiKai, Wang, Yunjiang, Pineda Soler, Eloi|||0000-0002-1871-3848, He, Quanfeng|||0000-0002-1728-8579, Zhang, Zequn|||0000-0002-8251-793X, Yang, Yong, Qiao, Jichao
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/432677
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/432677
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2025.110427
Access Level:acceso embargado
Palabra clave:Metallic glass
Shear transformation zone
Plastic deformation
Nanoindentation
Rejuvenation
Molecular dynamics simulations
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria dels materials::Metal·lúrgia
Descripción
Sumario:The plastic deformation behavior of metallic glasses is sensitive to the structural states, i.e., as-cast, aged and rejuvenated states. In the current work, Zr50Cu40Al10 metallic glass with different energy states, which were tuned by high-pressure torsion method, is studied by nanoindentation. With the help of the statistical analysis of the first pop-in event, the cooperative shear model is used to describe the size of shear transformation zones (STZs), revealing the variations of STZs influenced by different energy states. The strain rate sensitivity of the metallic glass with various energy states obtained from creep experiments demonstrated that the mechanical softening effect induced by HPT enhances the plasticity of metallic glasses. Within the framework of molecular dynamics simulations, the structural evolution of metallic glasses at the atomic scale under different loading rates is analyzed. The results provide an atomic-scale explanation for the significant enhancement of plastic deformation in metallic glasses with higher energy state and under high strain rate. The research indicates that severe plastic deformation can nucleate STZs with lower energy barriers during the severe plastic deformation in metallic glasses with high-energy states. It also indicated that severe plastic deformation can introduce multiple shear bands during this process. Furthermore, the intersection of shear bands and the presence of multiple shear bands enhance energy dissipation, potentially improving the plasticity of metallic glasses. The underlying physics of the energy state and strain rate independence of plastic deformation is discussed, providing insights into the nucleation and propagation of STZs and shear bands in metallic glasses.