A New Cu-Based Metallic Glass Composite with Excellent Mechanical Properties

A new Cu-based bulk metallic glass composite of nominal composition (at.%) Cu_41Ni_27Ti_25Al_7 with excellent plasticity and a strong work-hardening behavior is fabricated. Strength above 1859 MPa and plasticity more than 11% are achieved under compression and tension modes. The deformation mechanism is proposed to the structural heterogeneities of the composite that promotes multiple shear bands meanwhile inhibits their free propagation, which results in the macroscopically plastic strain and work hardening. The alloy contains relatively cheap metals and has a low cost, which is beneficial to industrial applications.