Strength of submicrometer diameter pillars of metallic glasses investigated with in situ transmission electron microscopy

We have fabricated micro-/nano-pillars of two metallic glasses (MGs), Cu-based Cu47Ti33Zr11Ni6Sn2Si1 and Zr-based Zr50Ti16.5Cu15Ni18.5, respectively, with pillar tip diameters ranging from similar to 650 to similar to 90 nm. These pillars were mechanically tested in situ in transmission electron microscopy as a function of pillar diameters. It turns out that the yield strengths of both MGs are close to those of the bulk glasses and are essentially size independent. Statistical physics description of strength for small size metallic glass is discussed.