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Correlation between fracture surface morphology and toughness in Zr-based bulk metallic glasses

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Abstract

Fracture surfaces of Zr-based bulk metallic glasses of various compositions tested in the as-cast and annealed conditions were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The tougher samples have shown highly jagged patterns at the beginning stage of crack propagation, and the length and roughness of this jagged pattern correlate well with the measured fracture toughness values. These jagged patterns, the main source of energy dissipation in the sample, are attributed to the formation of shear bands inside the sample. This observation provides strong evidence of significant “plastic zone” screening at the crack tip.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. W.M. Keck Laboratory of Engineering Materials, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125, USA

    Jin-Yoo Suh, Paul C. Kim, Marios D. Demetriou & William L. Johnson

  2. Korea Institute of Science & Technology, Seoul, 136-791, Korea

    Jin-Yoo Suh

  3. California State University Northridge, Northridge, California, 91330, USA

    R. Dale Conner

  4. Liquidmetal Technologies, Rancho Santa Margarita, California, 92688, USA

    Paul C. Kim

Authors
  1. Jin-Yoo Suh
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  2. R. Dale Conner
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  3. Paul C. Kim
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  4. Marios D. Demetriou
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  5. William L. Johnson
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Correspondence to R. Dale Conner.

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Suh, JY., Conner, R.D., Kim, P.C. et al. Correlation between fracture surface morphology and toughness in Zr-based bulk metallic glasses. Journal of Materials Research 25, 982–990 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.2010.0112

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.2010.0112

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