Different icosahedra in metallic glasses: Stability and response to shear transformation

Icosahedra in Cu65Zr35 metallic glasses are destroyed and generated simultaneously during shear deformation. Our results show that not all icosahedra are stable. Newly created icosahedra during the deformation process are as prone as non-icosahedral atoms with low-population polyhedra to the formation of shear transformation zones (STZs). Interconnected networks have been proven to play a critical role on their response to shear strain. Icosahedra with intensive networks are resistant to STZs, while those with sparse networks are prone to STZs. (C) 2012 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.