Serrated Plastic Flow in a Zr-based Bulk Metallic Glass During Nanoindentation

We investigate plastic deformation of Zr_41.2Ti_13.8Cu_12.5Ni₁₀Be_22.5 bulk metallic glass using depth sensing nanoindentation. Numerous serrations in the load-displacement curves during indentation, shear bands and pile-ups around the indent were observed. The results revealed that the serrated
plastic flow behaviour in this alloy depends strongly on the indentation strain rate.