Deformation behavior of strip-cast bulk amorphous matrix composites containing various crystalline particles

In this study, effects of various crystalline particles formed in strip-cast Zr-base amorphous matrix composites on deformation behavior were investigated. The compressive and fracture toughness test results indicated that the ductility of the strip-cast alloys containing hard/brittle crystalline particles as well as containing ductile beta-phase particles was higher than that of the monolithic amorphous alloy. From finite element calculations and in situ microfracture observations, this ductility improvement could be explained by the role of the particles to initiate shear bands and to block the shear band propagation. However, this improvement could be obtained only when the size and volume fraction of crystalline particles and characteristics of amorphous matrix were optimized by controlling the strip casting conditions. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.