Rolling-induced microstructure change in Zr65Al7.5Ni10Cu12.5Ag5 bulk metallic glass

Abstract

The microstructures and free-volume evolutions of as-cast and pre-annealed Zr65Al7.5Ni10Cu12.5Ag5 bulk metallic glasses during rolling deformation have been investigated. No phase transformation is detected in the as-cast/rolled specimen. However, the structural stability of the glass against plastic deformation is worse after pre-annealing, indicated by nanocrystallization in pre-annealed/rolled specimens with large deformation degrees. Moreover, with increasing deformation degree, the free-volume content in a pre-annealed/rolled specimen increases at a lower average rate than that in an as-cast/rolled specimen.