Elastic modulus change and its relation with glass-forming ability and plasticity in bulk metallic glasses

Abstract

In this work, we revealed the intrinsic relation between the modulus change upon heating and macroscopic properties such as glass-forming ability (GFA) and room-temperature plasticity in various metallic glasses. Specifically, GFA and plasticity can respectively be related to the softening rate right above the glass transition temperature (Tg) and the degree of sub-Tg relaxation. These relations can be understood in terms of the unified picture of potential energy barrier crossing. Above Tg, the faster barrier crossing leads to the larger softening rate and the higher tendency of crystallization; below Tg, the easier local rearrangement brings about the larger plasticity.