A framework for plasticity in metallic glasses

The understanding and quantification of plasticity in crystalline metals, which has led to their widespread and effective usage as a structural material, is lacking in metallic glasses (MGs). Here, we introduce such a framework for plasticity. This very practical framework is based on a MGs' ability to support stable shear band growth, quantified in a stress gradient, del(US), which we measure and calculate for a range of MGs. Whether a MG deforms plastically prior to fracture or only elastic in an application is determined by the comparison between and the applied stress field gradient, del(app); if del(US)>del(app), the MG can only deform elastic prior to fracture, if del(US)

Automated summary

This study introduces a theoretical framework for plasticity in metallic glasses, aiming to quantify their plastic behavior. By measuring and calculating the stress gradient del(US), the ability of metallic glasses to undergo plastic deformation can be determined in comparison to the applied stress field gradient del(app).