Temperature dependence of serrated flows in compression in a bulk-metallic glass

The authors investigated the effect of temperature on the plastic-flow and shear-banding behaviors of a Zr-based bulk-metallic glass in compression. The results indicate that at a subambient temperature (194.5 K) the plastic deformation of the bulk-metallic glass is still inhomogeneous and is characterized by the serrated flow and shear banding. But, compared to the ambient-temperature results, the subambient temperature moderates serrations in the plastic flow and leads to the formation of fewer shear bands. In view of the spatiotemporality of shear banding, the authors correlate the plastic-flow behaviors to shear-band patterns. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.