Effects of cooling rates on the mechanical properties of a Ti-based bulk metallic glass

Mechanical properties of the glassy specimens fabricated at different cooling rates with a composition of Ti40Zr25Cu12Ni3Be20 were systematically investigated. It was confirmed that faster cooling rates caused not only a larger amount of frozen-in free volume but also a higher glass transition temperature in the bulk glassy alloy. Increase in the free volume was found to favor plastic deformation and then to give rise to larger compressive plasticity, whilst the rise in the glass transition temperature seemed to be closely related to the higher yield strength. Moreover, the increase of yield strength and plasticity induced by fast cooling rates may also be associated with the residual stress generated during the fabrication process. Our results suggest that the deformation behavior of bulk metallic glasses is sensitive to various factors and influences from the other factors should be excluded as far as cooling-rate effects on bulk metallic glasses are considered.