Abstract In this work, we report a class of phase separated Cu94 − xZrxAl5.5Nb0.5 (x = 41, 44, 47, 50 at.%) bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) with extraordinary plastic strain up to 43% and work hardening effect featured in the compression strength compared with the yielding strength. Through the characterization of the microstructure, compositional distribution, free volume and activation energy of crystallization, the underlying mechanism for the plasticizing and work hardening has been investigated. It is confirmed that the structural heterogeneity due to the phase separation results in the formation of high density of free volume and low activation energy for crystallization. The deformation induced nanocrystallization (DINC) takes place in the whole region, especially in shear bands (SBs). The DINC may reduce the instabilization of SBs, resulting in the slow-down of the propagation of SBs and the initiation of more primary and secondary SBs from soft to hard region. This may be considered as the underlying mechanism for the plasticizing and work hardening of these BMGs.

中文翻译：

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变形诱导纳米晶化在相分离的 Cu-Zr-Al-Nb 块状金属玻璃中的塑化和加工硬化

摘要 在这项工作中，我们报告了一类相分离的 Cu94 − xZrxAl5.5Nb0.5 (x = 41, 44, 47, 50 at.%) 块状金属玻璃 (BMGs)，具有高达 43% 的非凡塑性应变和加工硬化与屈服强度相比，压缩强度的影响。通过微观结构、成分分布、自由体积和结晶活化能的表征，研究了塑化和加工硬化的潜在机制。证实由于相分离导致的结构异质性导致形成高密度的自由体积和低的结晶活化能。变形诱导纳米化（DINC）发生在整个区域，特别是在剪切带（SBs）中。DINC 可以减少 SB 的不稳定，导致 SB 的传播速度减慢，并从软到硬区域引发更多的初级和次级 SB。这可以被认为是这些 BMG 塑化和加工硬化的潜在机制。