Element dependence of radiation-induced structural changes in metallic glasses

Abstract The structural evolution of metallic glasses (MGs) under radiation is investigated by performing a molecular dynamics simulation upon a Zr2Cu composition. It is found that collision cascades lead to instantaneous vacancy-like defects that will transform into free volumes, leading to structural recovery. In addition, although radiation-induced vacancy-like defects appear around both Zr and Cu atoms, free volumes are apt to rearrange themselves around Zr atoms rather than Cu centers, indicating an element dependence of structural changes in the radiated MGs. This implies that we may develop glassy materials with high radiation resistance by tailoring the constituent elements or the compositions.