Deformation behavior of the Zr41.2Ti13.8CU12.5Ni10Be22.5 bulk metallic glass over a wide range of strain-rates and temperatures

The stress-strain relations for the Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 bulk metallic glass (Vitreloy 1) over a broad range of temperatures (room temperature to its supercooled liquid region) and strain rates (10(-5) to 10(3) s(-1)) were established in uniaxial compression using both quasi-static and dynamic Kolsky (split Hopkinson) pressure bar loading systems. Relaxation and jump in strain rate experiments were conducted to further understand the time dependent behavior of Vitreloy 1. The material exhibited superplastic flow above its glass transition temperature (623 K) and strain rates of up to 1 s(-1). The viscosity in the homogeneous deformation regime was found to decrease dramatically with increasing strain rate. A fictive stress model was used to describe the basic deformation features of Vitreloy I under constant strain-rate loading as well as multiple strain-rate loading at high temperatures. (C) 2003 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.