Spatial correlation of irreversible displacement in oscillatory-sheared metallic glasses

We report computer simulations on the oscillatory of CuZr metallic glasses at zero temperature with different shear amplitudes. In small system a homogenous shear deformation is found, while in large system an inhomogeneous shear deformation is found with a shear band formed. Concomitantly, spatial correlation of irreversible displacement exhibits an isotropic and exponential decay in the case of homogeneous deformation, whereas a mixed power-law and exponential decay in the case of anisotropic and inhomogeneous deformation. By projecting the azimuthal-dependent correlation function onto the spherical harmonics, we found a strong polar symmetry that accounts for the emerged shear band, and a weaker quadrupolar symmetry that accounts for the elastic filed generated by Eshelby inclusions. By this, we conclude that the anisotropy and decaying formula of the plastic correlation are dominated by the homogeneity or inhomogeneity for the deformation in the metallic glasses.

Automated summary

This study presents computer simulations on the oscillatory behavior of CuZr metallic glasses at zero temperature under different shear amplitudes. It is found that in small systems, homogeneous shear deformation occurs, while in large systems, inhomogeneous shear deformation occurs with the formation of shear bands. The spatial correlation of irreversible displacement exhibits different patterns depending on the type of deformation. The results suggest that the anisotropy and decay formula of plastic deformation in metallic glasses are controlled by the homogeneity or inhomogeneity.