Shear fracture in bulk metallic glass composites

Abstract Fracture behavior of bulk metallic glass matrix composites (BMGCs) with both transforming and non-transforming β-Ti dendrites under shear and opening modes was examined. Experimental results show that the fracture toughness of all three BMGCs is considerably lower in mode II than in mode I, due primarily to the shear dominant stress state in the former, which renders easy shear band initiation. However, stable crack growth in mode I is insignificant whereas it is considerable in mode II. The toughness of BMGCs reinforced with coarse but non-transforming dendrites in both the modes is higher than the respective values in BMGCs with transforming β-Ti inspite of their ability to strain harden and hence enhanced ductility. Fracture surface features and shear band patterns at notch tips of both mode I and mode II specimens indicate that despite the interactions of dendrites with the shear bands, the fracture criterion and mechanism of BMGCs is identical to that in BMGs. The differences in the fracture behaviour of these BMGCs is rationalized by considering the effect of relaxation enthalpy of the amorphous matrices in addition to the length scale and transforming tendency of the dendrites on the transformation of a shear band into a crack. Implications of these results in terms improving the fracture toughness of BMGCs with transforming dendrites is discussed.