Relationship between the heat flow and relaxation of the shear modulus in bulk PdCuP metallic glass

Abstract We measured the heat flow, shear modulus and density changes occurring upon heating of bulk glassy Pd 41.25 Cu 41.25 P 17.5 , which polymorphically crystallizes into tetragonal Pd 2 Cu 2 P with simultaneous decrease of the density. It was found that the heat release (well below the glass transition temperature T g ) and heat absorption (near and above T g ) are uniquely linked to the relaxation of the shear modulus through the relaxation change of the concentration of internal “defects” frozen-in upon glass production. The two models suitable for a quantitative description of this interrelationship are discussed in detail. The obtained results clearly demonstrate an intrinsic connection of the shear moduli of glass and maternal crystal.