Structural Heterogeneity, Ductility, and Glass Forming Ability of Zr-Based Metallic Glasses

TL;DR

This study reveals how nanoscale structural heterogeneity in Zr-based metallic glasses influences their ductility and glass forming ability, using advanced microscopy and simulation techniques.

Contribution

It establishes a direct correlation between medium range ordering parameters and mechanical properties of Zr-based MGs, providing new insights into their structural behavior.

Findings

Structural heterogeneity correlates with ductility.

Medium range ordering affects glass forming ability.

Diverse MRO types influence mechanical behavior.

Abstract

We show the correlation between nanoscale structural heterogeneity and mechanical property and glass forming ability of Zr-based metallic glasses (MGs). Detailed parameters of medium range ordering (MRO) that constitutes the structural heterogeneity, including the type, size, and volume fraction of MRO domains determined using 4-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy, directly correlate with the ductility and glass forming ability of Zr-Cu-Co-Al MGs. Mesoscale deformation simulation incorporating the experimentally determined MRO confirms that the diverse types and sizes of MRO can significantly influence the MGs' mechanical behavior.