High Temperature Deformation Behavior of in-situ Bulk Metallic Glass Matrix Composites

Abstract

Macroscopic ductility is promoted in bulk metallic glasses by both composite reinforcements (at low temperatures) and by the activation of viscous flow mechanisms (at high temperatures). It is of fundamental interest to understand deformation physics when both of these strategies are employed at the same time. Despite the quickly growing literature around the room-temperature mechanical properties of metallic glass matrix composites (MGMCs), the deformation behavior of MGMCs over a wide range of temperatures and strain rates has yet to be systematically investigated, especially at high temperatures close to Tg. Here the high temperature compressive behavior of Zr-based MGMCs with in-situ reinforcements is explored systematically over a series of strain rates. Additionally, the volume fraction of second-phase reinforcements was tailored to explore its effect on both inhomogeneous and homogeneous deformation modes.