Mechanical Relaxation Time Scales in a Zr–Ti–Ni–Cu–Be Bulk Metallic Glass

The relaxation time scales in a commercial-grade Zr_41.25Ti_13.75Ni₁₀Cu_12.5Be_22.5 (at.%) bulk metallic glass were examined using transient and dynamic mechanical experiments. The viscoelastic and sub-T_g relaxations were well described by the Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts relaxation function. A large activation energy (4.0 eV) and small nonexponentiality parameter (approximately 0.5) were observed for viscoelastic relaxation above T_g consistent with the cooperative nature of atomic movements leading ultimately to viscous flow. Conversely, a small activation energy (0.1 eV) and large nonexponentiality parameter (approximately 0.9) were observed for the sub-T_g relaxation suggesting localized atomic adjustments which may involve different structural units or mechanisms. The glass transition was manifested as a decoupling of the sub-T_g and viscoelastic relaxation. The resulting transition temperature determined at a selected time scale was in agreement with the value obtained from calorimetric studies.