On the relationship between the accumulation and release of elastic energy during the flow serrations of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass

In this work, the relationship between the accumulation and release of elastic energy during the flow serrations of a bulk metallic glass (BMG) was investigated by use of 10 groups of specimens under varying mixed-mode (I/ II) loading conditions. The findings have shown that both the elastic energy accumulation rates and load drops have significant variations, and the load drop data are more scattered than elastic energy accumulation rates. The large variations of load drops are intrinsic for BMGs, while the variations of elastic energy accumulation rates can be reduced to improve/control the plastic deformation of BMGs. Moreover, smaller elastic energy accumulation rates can result in smaller load drops, resulting from the formation of more shear-band intersections. The present work is of significance for understanding the underlying mechanisms of flow serrations of BMGs. It also suggests that more attention could be paid into the elastic energy accumulation process in order to uncover the plastic deformation mechanisms of BMGs.