Shear deformation capability of different metallic glasses

The mechanical properties of Zr_52.5Ni_14.6Al₁₀Cu_17.9Ti₅ and Ti₄₀Zr₂₅Ni₃Cu₁₂Be₂₀ metallic glasses were investigated under uniaxial compressive loading and small punch loading, respectively. The Zr-based metallic glass displays higher density of shear bands, larger critical shear offsets and higher energy absorbing capability than the Ti-based metallic glass under the small punch tests. A concept of critical shear offset is proposed to explain the difference in shear deformation abilities or plasticity of different metallic glasses. The current experiments demonstrate that, in contrast with the small difference between the responses of the Zr- and Ti-based metallic glasses under uniaxial compressive loading, the biaxial tension produced by the small punch test is an effective way to evaluate the difference in shear deformation abilities and can be used to distinguish the brittleness or plasticity of various metallic glasses.