Tensile deformation behaviour of Zr-based glassy alloys

This paper presents a study of the deformation behaviour of a glassy phase in two Zr-based alloys, Zr65Ni10Cu5Al7.5Pd12.5 and Zr65Al7.5Ni10Pd17.5, performed in situ in a transmission electron microscope. In contrast to the case of shear localisation and formation of 10-20 nm thick shear bands in deformed bulk glassy samples studied earlier, it is found that in thin (electron-transparent) samples the glassy phase in front of a crack deforms more homogeneously and no nanocrystallisation takes place. The reasons for such behaviour are discussed. According to the observed results, one can conclude that the studied metallic glasses can be intrinsically ductile in submicrometre-sized volumes.