The Influence of Deformation on the Medium-Range Order of a Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass Characterized by Variable Resolution Fluctuation Electron Microscopy

The medium-range order (MRO) of both as-cast and deformed states of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass (Zr52.5Cu17.9Ni14.6Al10Ti5 (at.-%) - Vitreloy 105) were analysed using variable resolution fluctuation electron microscopy (VR-FEM). After deformation significant structural changes in the MRO were observed inside the shear bands and the adjacent matrix. As a result of deformation two distinct MRO cluster types were formed in both matrix and shear bands. The structural evolution during plastic deformation suggests that frictional heat dissipation must have contributed to the alteration of MRO.