Correlations between the hierarchical spatial heterogeneity and the mechanical properties of metallic glasses

Understanding the spatial heterogeneity originated from the inherent atomic packing mode in glassy solids is one of the central problems in condensed-matter physics and materials science. Here, based on Fourier analysis, we establish an analysis protocol to measure the spatial heterogeneity of metallic glasses quantitatively. Our method reveals an interesting hierarchy of the spatial heterogeneity, ranging from atomic scale to nanoscale, in metallic glasses inherited from the thermal processes. The trends of the spatial heterogeneity change under mechanical loadings provide valuable information about the onset of the shear instability. More importantly, a positive correlation between the initial nanoscale heterogeneity and the material ductility is found that is consistent with the previously reports. The analysis protocol proposed here provides a new way to explore the structure-property relationship for disordered matters.

Automated summary

By utilizing Fourier analysis, this study establishes an analysis protocol to quantitatively measure the spatial heterogeneity of metallic glasses, revealing a hierarchy of spatial heterogeneity inherited from thermal processes. The trends of spatial heterogeneity under mechanical loadings provide valuable information about shear instability onset, and a positive correlation between initial nanoscale heterogeneity and material ductility is found. This analysis protocol offers a new way to explore the structure-property relationship for disordered materials.