High density of shear bands and enhanced free volume induced in Zr70Cu20Ni10 metallic glass by high-energy ball milling

High-energy ball milling was employed to induce plastic deformation of Zr70Cu20Ni10 metallic glass ribbons, resulting in intersected and branched shear bands with a minimal spacing of about 30 nm. Crystallization was not observed in the shear bands. The free volume content in the deformed metallic glass increases with increasing duration of ball milling. Compared with the as-spun metallic glass, 28.8% more free volume is introduced in the metallic glass after ball milling for 80 h. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.