Fracture Morphologies of Zr‐Based Bulk Metallic Glasses Under Different Stress States

In the current study, the fracture morphologies of both Zr₅₇Cu₂₀Al₁₀Ni₈Ti₅ and Zr₆₅Cu_17.5Ni₁₀Al_7.5 bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) under stress gradients are investigated using three‐point bending tests, and are compared with conventional compressive and tensile tests. The findings show that, under compressive stress gradients, the fracture patterns consisting of cell‐like vein patterns and radiating ridges are formed due to the inhibition of the instantaneous fracture process, during which a large amount of localized shearing occurs on the fracture plane. On the other hand, under tensile stress gradients, enlarged smooth regions and some transition zones have been observed on the fracture surfaces, indicating the achievement of more stable shearing processes before fracture. Correlations between the fracture surface features and the plastic deformation behavior of BMGs under different stress states are proposed and discussed. The findings are of significance in understanding the deformation and fracture mechanisms of BMGs under complex stress states.