Thermodynamic Origins of Shear Band Formation and the Universal Scaling Law of Metallic Glass Strength

We report a universal scaling law, tau(y)=3R(T-g-RT)/V, that uncovers an inherent relationship of the yield strength tau(y) with the glass transition temperature T-g and molar volume V of metallic glasses. This equation is derived from fundamental thermodynamics and validated by various metallic glasses with well-defined yielding. The linearity between tau(y) and T-g demonstrates the intrinsic correlation between yielding and glass-liquid transition, which contributes to the basic understanding of the strength and deformation of glassy alloys.