Temperature-Dependent Shear Band Dynamics In A Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass

Flow serrations recorded during inhomogeneous deformation of Zr52.5Ti5Cu17.9Ni14.6Al10 (Vit105) were studied during compression testing at temperatures between -40 and 60 degrees C. The shear band velocities determined exhibit a pronounced temperature dependence covering nearly two orders of magnitude. The velocities follow an Arrhenius-type behavior with an associated activation energy of 0.3 +/- 0.05 eV. The results demonstrate a thermally activated mechanism of shear band propagation, which is similar to the behavior of other, nonmetallic amorphous materials.