Microstructural evolution of an elastostatically compressed amorphous alloy and its influence on the mechanical properties

This paper discusses whether or not permanent deformation occurs even at a stress level below the yield strength. The application of an elastostatic stress causes deformation on an amorphous alloy in such a manner that its deformation behavior is characterized by ideal elasticity, anelasticity, and viscoelasticity. Among the strain components, viscoelasticity caused irreversible structural changes even after removing the applied stress. These behaviors were analyzed from the perspective of the microstructural changes characterized by the generation of free volume. (C) 2007 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.