Shock compression response of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass up to 110 GPa

Shock wave compression experiments were conducted on a Zr-based bulk metallic glass (BMG, Zr51Ti5Ni10Cu25Al9 in atomic percent) up to 110 GPa. Time-resolved free-surface velocity profiles were measured in a shock stress range from 18 to 28 GPa with velocity interferometer techniques. The shock Hugoniot data in a shock stress range from 53 to 110 GPa were obtained by using electric pin techniques. The time-resolved wave profiles showed a distinct two-wave structure consisting of an elastic precursor followed by a plastic wave. Based on the obtained wave profiles, the Hugoniot elastic limits were determined to be 6.9 to 9.6 GPa. The shock wave velocity (D-s) vs. particle velocity (u(p)) Hugoniot data in a shock stress range from 18 to 110 GPa were linearly fitted by D-s = (4.241 +/- 0.035) + (1.015 +/- 0.024)u(p). No evidence of phase transition was found in the performed shock experiments of the Zr-based BMG. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3501044]