Unique Appearance of Lamellar Cleavage Patterns on Fracture Surfaces of Ti-Based Amorphous Matrix Composite

In order to improve mechanical properties of Ti-based amorphous matrix composites basically composed of ductile β-Ti dendrites and brittle amorphous matrix by overcoming their inherent brittle nature, their fracture mechanisms should be verified in relation with microstructure, stress intensity factor level, and crack growth rate. In this study, thus, detailed fractographic observations including the unique appearance of lamellar cleavage patterns, which has not been reported in previous studies on conventional metals and alloys, were conducted. According to fractographic results, lamellar cleavage patterns were formed by repeated interruptions of crack propagation on {100} cleavage planes by difference between dendrite orientation and loading direction. Ductile-to-brittle transition phenomenon (ductile dimpled fracture → lamellar cleavage fracture → ordinary cleavage fracture in dendrite areas, and vein pattern → smooth pattern in amorphous matrix areas) occurred with increasing crack growth rate was also plausibly explained by the concept of time required for crack growth as well as dendrite orientation.