Recreating the shear band evolution in nanoscale metallic glass by mimicking the atomistic rolling deformation: a molecular dynamics study

Rolling processes are extensively used to induce network of shear bands (SBs) in the bulk metallic glasses, which in turn enhances the overall plasticity of the specimen. However, the atomic-level understanding of shear band formation/propagation mechanism during mechanical processing is still limited. In this perspective, we have developed a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation model to recreate the rolling deformation process and investigate the SB formation in Cu-Zr metallic glass (MG) specimen. Results have shown that dense and concentrated primary SBs along with secondary branching are formed during cryorolling, whereas a scattered and thicker SBs are formed during hot rolling process. Meanwhile, Voronoi cluster analysis revealed that the high five-fold symmetry clusters tend to decrease, while the crystalline-like cluster increases during the hot rolling process. These findings from the study are in good agreement with previous experimental studies substantiated in literature. which shows that the model correctly predicts the shear-banding phenomenon.

Automated summary

Rolling processes induce a network of shear bands in bulk metallic glasses, enhancing overall plasticity. Molecular dynamics simulations show that cold rolling creates dense concentrated shear bands, while hot rolling forms scattered thicker shear bands.