Mechanical behavior of Ti-Zr-Ni quasicrystals during nanoindentation

The parameters and mechanisms of deformation of a Ti41.5Zr41.5Ni17 quasicrystal and a W + 12 at. % Ta single crystal under nanoindentation conditions were studied and compared. It was found that, initially, the deformation of the quasicrystal is elastoplastic; however, beginning from a certain critical load, the deformation acquires a steplike character with alternating segments of slow elastoplastic deformation and rapid plastic deformation. A qualitative model is proposed for the plastic deformation of quasicrystals during nanoindentation. (c) 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc.