Structural anisotropy in a Zr57Ti5Cu20Al10Ni8 bulk metallic glass deformed by high pressure torsion at room temperature

Fully amorphous Zr57Ti5Cu20Al10Ni8 bulk metallic glass specimens were subjected to deformation by high pressure torsion at room temperature. Consecutive high resolution synchrotron x-ray diffraction mapping has revealed the variation of the average atomic bond length and shown no evidence of crystallization in this excellent glass former. Difference in the sign of the atomic distortion obtained in direction parallel to the sample surface and along the cross section indicates strong structural anisotropy.