Characterization of activation energy for flow in metallic glasses

The molar volume (V-m) scaled flow activation energy (Delta E), namely as the activation energy density rho(E) = Delta E/V-m, is proposed to describe the flow of metallic glasses. Based on the energy landscape, both the shear and bulk moduli are critical parameters accounting for the rho(E) of both homogeneous and inhomogeneous flows in metallic glasses. The expression of rho(E) is determined experimentally to be a simple expression of rho(E) = 10/11G + 11/1K. The energy density perspective depicts a realistic picture for the flow in metallic glasses and is suggestive for understanding the glass transition and deformation in metallic glasses.