High tensile plasticity and strength of a CuZr-based bulk metallic glass composite

A new approach to improve the tensile ductility of CuZr-based bulk metallic glasses without significant reduction in high strength is reported. After doping of Nb into CuZr-based alloy, a composite was formed with a combination of high strength, large tensile plasticity and strong work-hardening effect. The addition of Nb led to a uniform distribution of single B2-CuZr phase in the glassy matrix. The optimal tensile properties were attributed to the deformation-induced martensitic transformation of the B2-CuZr phase, which in turn interacted with the glassy matrix. In addition, the drastic adiabatic heating on the fracture region also contributed to the increase in tensile plasticity.