Effect of physical aging on Johari-Goldstein relaxation in La-based bulk metallic glass

Abstract

The influence of physical aging on the β relaxation in La60Ni15Al25 bulk metallic glass has been investigated by mechanical spectroscopy. The amplitude of the β relaxation (ΔG″) decreases while its relaxation time (τβ) increases during aging. We find that, as in organic glasses, the changes of ln (τβ) and ln (ΔGmax ) are linearly correlated with ln (τβ) = b − a ln $(G_{\rm max}^{\prime\prime})$(G max ″). This behavior is discussed in term of the asymmetric double-well potential (ADWP) model, with U and Δ the energies characterizing the ADWP. It is suggested that during aging the ratio U/Δ remains approximately constant, with a value close to the coefficient describing the linear correlation between ln (τβ) and ln $(G_{\rm max}^{\prime\prime})$(G max ″)(U/Δ ∼ a). Moreover, the evolution versus aging time of ΔGmax can be described by a simple stretched exponential equation giving values of τaging consistent with tan(δ) measurements during aging. The very similar behavior of the β relaxation during aging in metallic glasses and organic material strongly suggests a common nature for this relaxation.