Oxygen effect on bending behavior of a zirconium based bulk metallic glass

In this work we report a systematic study regarding the effect of different oxygen contents (150 - 2000 wppm) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the commercial bulk metallic glass Vitreloy (R) 106a (Zr58.5Nb2.8Cu15.6Ni12.8Al10.3). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses and Synchrotron X-ray diffraction patterns have confirmed the presence of crystalline precipitates dispersed in the amorphous matrix for samples contaminated with more than 900 wppm of oxygen. Three-point bending tests and fracture surface SEM investigations have shown that the brittle phases formed combined with the oxygen contamination of the matrix resulted in a significative fracture resistance reduction as well as ductility loss following the increase of oxygen content.