Anisotropic atomic structure in a homogeneously deformed metallic glass

The anisotropic atomic structure in a Zr_41.2Ti_13.8Cu_12.5Ni₁₀Be_22.5 metallic glass strained during uniaxial tensile creep at 598 K was studied at room temperature using high-energy x-ray diffraction. Changes in the atomic structure were examined by comparing the total scattering function [S(Q)] and the reduced pair distribution function [G(r)] of the creep to that of a companion specimen subjected to the same heat treatment only. Two-dimensional maps of the ΔS(Q) and its Fourier transformation demonstrate the distribution in the bond orientation anisotropy increases with increasing total strain. A fit of the reduced pair distribution function using a simplified two-component model suggests that the bond length changes in the deformed creep samples are not uniform.