Enhanced plasticity in a bulk amorphous matrix composite: macroscopic and microscopic viewpoint studies

Abstract We developed the (Cu 60 Zr 30 Ti 10 ) 0.95 Ta 5 amorphous matrix composite, which is a Cu-based bulk amorphous composite reinforced with a micron-sized Ta-rich crystalline phase. The composite demonstrated an ultimate strength of 2332 MPa with a dramatically enhanced fracture strain of 15.3%. Macroscopic observation of the fractured (Cu 60 Zr 30 Ti 10 ) 0.95 Ta 5 amorphous composite using scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of multiple shear bands along with numerous secondary shear bands, which spread from the primary shear bands. On the other hand, microscopic observation of the fractured composite using transmission electron microscopy showed that the cracks propagate through the amorphous matrix in a jagged manner. The observed macroscopic and microscopic behaviors, involving shear band formation and crack propagation, are believed to be responsible for the enhanced plasticity. Finite element calculations using the Mohr–Coulomb model of hydrostatic pressure dependent materials were conducted, in order to gain a better understanding of various aspects of the macroscopic deformation behavior, such as the interaction of the shear bands with the crystalline particles, the initiation site of the shear bands, and the formation of multiple shear bands, while the microscopic deformation behavior was explained based on the formation of nanocrystallites that had precipitated under quasistatic compression.