Strain rate dependent shear banding behavior of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass composite

In this study, the uniaxial compressive experiments were conducted on a Zr39.6Ti33.9Nb7.6Cu6.4Be12.5 bulk metallic glass matrix composite with in situ formed ductile dendritic crystalline phase at quasistatic and dynamic strain rates. The results demonstrate that the plasticity of this composite is sensitive to the applied strain rate, which is found to result from the strain rate dependent shear banding behavior. By analyzing the energy dissipation during shear band propagation, i.e., shear band toughness, in the composite, the possible mechanism of the rate dependent shear banding behavior was unveiled. Our present results may increase the understanding of the deformation and fracture mechanism of bulk metallic glass composites. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.