The effect of void defects on the shear band nucleation of metallic glasses

Molecular dytaamics simulations were employed to investigate the effect of void defect on the shear band nucleation in a Cu64Zr36 metallic glass. Unlike uniform samples, the samples with void defects can form shear bands at a much lower strain. Finite element simulation revealed stress concentration near the voids, which can explain the early formation of shear bands. The shear band behaviors are also influenced by the size, shape and distribution of the defects. These findings can provide simulation support to understand the shear band heterogeneous nucleation process of metallic glasses in the real case.