Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T06:24:27.058Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Fracture in Bulk Amorphous Alloys

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

J. A. Horton
Affiliation:
Metals and Ceramics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6115, hortonja @ornl.gov
J. L. Wright
Affiliation:
Metals and Ceramics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6115, hortonja @ornl.gov
J. H. Schneibel
Affiliation:
Metals and Ceramics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge, TN 37831–6115, hortonja @ornl.gov
Get access

Abstract

The fracture behavior of a Zr-based bulk amorphous alloy, Zr-10 Al-5 Ti-17.9 Cu-14.6Ni (at.%), was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction forany evidence of crystallization preceding crack propagation. No evidence for crystallizationwas found in shear bands in compression specimens or at the fracture surface in tensile specimens.In- situ TEM deformation experiments were performed to more closely examine actualcrack tip regions. During the in-situ deformation experiment, controlled crack growth occurredto the point where the specimen was approximately 20 μm thick at which point uncontrolledcrack growth occurred. No evidence of any crystallization was found at the crack tips or thecrack flanks. Subsequent scanning microscope examination showed that the uncontrolledcrack growth region exhibited ridges and veins that appeared to have resulted from melting. Performing the deformations, both bulk and in-situ TEM, at liquid nitrogen temperatures (LN2) resulted in an increase in the amount of controlled crack growth. The surface roughness of the bulk regions fractured at LN2 temperatures corresponded with the roughness of the crack propagation observed during the in-situ TEM experiment, suggesting that the smooth-appearing room temperature fracture surfaces may also be a result of localized melting.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Inoue, A., Zhang, T., and Masumoto, T., Mater Trans. JIM, 30, 177 (1989).Google Scholar
2. Lin, X.L., Johnson, W. L., and Rhim, W. K., Mater Trans. JIM, 38, 473 (1997).Google Scholar
3. Liu, C. T., Heatherly, L., Easton, D.S., Carmichael, C.A., Schneibel, J.H., Chen, C.H., Wright, J.L., Yoo, M.H., Horton, J.A., and Inoue, A., MetalL and Mater Trans. A., 29A, 1811 (1998).Google Scholar
4. Bruck, H.A., Rosakis, A.J., and Johnson, W.L., J. Mater Res. 11, #2, 503 (1996).Google Scholar
5. Inoue, A. and Zhang, T., Mater Trans. JIM, 37, #;11, 1726 (1996).Google Scholar
6. Gilbert, C.J., Lippmann, J.M., and Ritchie, R.O., Scripta Mater, 38, #4, 537 (1998).Google Scholar
7. Horton, J.A., Proc. of the 40th Ann. Mtg. of EMSA, 748 (1982).Google Scholar
8. Horton, J.A. and Schneibel, J.H., Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 364, 1107 (1995).Google Scholar
9. Horton, J.A., J. Mater Sci & Tech., 9 #1, 745 (1993).Google Scholar