Tensile properties of Zr70Ni16Cu6Al8 BMG at room and cryogenic temperatures

The mechanical behaviour in tension of a hypoeutectic Zr70Ni16Cu6Al8 Bulk Metallic Glass (BMG) was studied at room (295 K) and cryogenic temperatures (150 K and 77 K) using various strain rates between 10−4 and 10−1 s−1. The yield strength was found to increase at lower temperatures with average values increasing by 16%, from 1503 MPa at 295 K to 1746 MPa at 77 K. The Zr-based BMG was found to exhibit tensile plastic elongation of about 0.4% before fracture at room temperature and high strain rates (10−1 s−1). Even higher tensile plasticity was recorded at low temperatures; plastic deformation was found highest at the intermediate temperature (150 K) reaching remarkable plastic strains in the order of 3.9%, while values up to 1.5% were recorded at 77 K. The lateral surface of the tensile specimens was observed in-situ during deformation using a high frame rate camera offering interesting insights with regard to the deformation mechanisms. Room temperature plasticity occurred through the formation and interaction of several nucleated shear bands before critical failure, while at intermediate and liquid nitrogen temperatures, most of the plastic deformation was accommodated through stable flow within a single shear band

Probing heat generation during tensile plastic deformation of a bulk metallic glass at cryogenic temperature

Despite significant research efforts, the deformation and failure mechanisms of metallic glasses remain not well understood. In the absence of periodic structure, these materials typically deform in highly localized, thin shear bands at ambient and low temperatures. This process usually leads to an abrupt fracture, hindering their wider use in structural applications. The dynamics and temperature effects on the formation and operation of those shear bands have been the focus of long-standing debate. Here, we use a new experimental approach based on localized boiling of liquid nitrogen by the heat generated in the shear bands to monitor the tensile plastic deformation of a bulk metallic glass submerged in a cryogenic bath. With the “nitrogen bubbles heat sensor”, we could capture the heat dissipation along the primary shear banding plane and follow the dynamics of the shear band operation. The observation of nitrogen boiling on the surface of the deforming metallic glass gives direct evidence of temperature increase in the shear bands, even at cryogenic temperatures. An acceleration in bubble nucleation towards the end of the apparent plastic deformation suggests a change from steady-state to runaway shear and premonitions the fracture, allowing us to resolve the sequence of deformation and failure events

シンサイ ニツイテ タイワスル コドモ ノ テツガク ノ カノウセイ

International audienc

On the undulatory behaviour of metallic glass foils: a novel spring-type behaviour

The undulatory behaviour is a unique type of mechanical response that was recently observed for metallic glass foils in geometric confinement. It is manifested when normal load is applied on the top of an arc-shaped thin foil of metallic glass; the foil then deforms elastically and its shape changes by progressively increasing the number of formed sinusoidal arcs. This behaviour results from a combination of successive elastic bending and buckling events and can be utilized for developing novel types of non-linear springs. In this work, the undulatory behaviour of a Ni-Fe-Si-B-Mo metallic glass foil has been systematically studied and compared with that of the previously reported Fe-Cr-Si-B foil. The results indicate that the alloy composition and the foil thickness can significantly affect the load required for the formation of the harmonic undulations. The initial geometry of the formed sinusoidal arc including its amplitude and boundary length, can also be used to tune the load and displacement response of the foils. Upon unloading, the foil returns to its initial shape, as long as the loading remains in the elastic deformation range of the metallic glass. The findings suggest that the undulatory behaviour of thin metallic glass foils can be potentially exploited for a wide range of engineering applications including micro-springs, sensors, actuators, and shock absorbers.DMG Mor

The effect of Ni or Co additions on the structure of Zr60Cu30Al10 bulk metallic glass revealed by high-energy synchrotron radiation

The effect of substituting Cu by elemental additions of Ni or Co on the atomic structure of the Zr60Cu30Al10 ternary bulk metallic glass (BMG) is studied using high-energy synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction. Analyses of the structural features in reciprocal and real space using the structure factors S(Q) and pair-distribution functions (PDF) point to an increase in the structural disorder for the Ni- or Co-bearing quaternary alloys. This is consistent with the “confusion principle” since upon alloying the initially nearly identical atomic sizes of Cu, Ni and Co diversify due to local electronic interactions. In real space, the disordering is manifested by a reduced deviation from the average particle density visible in the nearest-neighbour (NN) atomic shell structure over the complete short- and medium-range order region. Despite their similar atomic size, enthalpies of mixing with the main alloy elements and apparent disordering of the structure, the additions of Ni or Co have different effects on thermal stability of the ternary “mother” alloy.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC): 2043971, EP/N509450/

Structural pathways for ultrafast melting of optically excited thin polycrystalline Palladium films

Due to its extremely short timescale, the non-equilibrium melting of metals is exceptionally difficult to probe experimentally. The knowledge of melting mechanisms is thus based mainly on the results of theoretical predictions. This work reports on the investigation of ultrafast melting of thin polycrystalline Pd films studied by optical laser pump - X-ray free-electron laser probe experiments and molecular-dynamics simulations. By acquiring X-ray diffraction snapshots with sub-picosecond resolution, we capture the sample's atomic structure during its transition from the crystalline to the liquid state. Bridging the timescales of experiments and simulations allows us to formulate a realistic microscopic picture of melting. We demonstrate that the existing models of strongly non-equilibrium melting, developed for systems with relatively weak electron-phonon coupling, remain valid even for ultrafast heating rates achieved in femtosecond laser-excited Pd. Furthermore, we highlight the role of pre-existing and transiently generated crystal defects in the transition to the liquid state.Comment: main manuscript 33 pages, 9 figures; supplemental material 19 pages, 13 figures - all in one fil

On the impact of global interactions on the structure of metallic glasses

The influence of global interactions between the static atomic structure and the valence electrons on structure formation in binary Al-(Ni,Cu,Zr), Zr-(Ni,Cu) and ternary Al-(Ni,Cu)-Zr metallic glasses is investigated over wide concentration ranges and discussed in terms of a Hume-Rothery-like theory by analysing and comparing data available in the literature. The results suggest that global interactions lead to an improvement of thermal stability and glass-forming ability. A complete understanding of structure formation in the considered alloys is assumed to be possible only by taking into account both local and global effects

(FeMnNi)84(AlTi)16 high‑entropy alloy: correlation of microstructure, strengthening mechanisms and hardness at various conditions (As‑Cast, solution treated, aged)

A (FeMnNi)84(AlTi)16 high-entropy alloy was produced by vacuum arc melting successfully. The microstructure of the as-cast state showed the existence of two FCC phases along with potential precipitates. The solution treatment response of the alloy for 2 h at 1150 °C and the effect of aging time at 750 °C in the microstructure and microhardness were also evaluated. It was observed that the solution treatment parameters were insufficiently low to dissolve the as-cast precipitates into the matrix. The double FCC matrix identified may be correlated with a solidification range and insufficient diffusion during the solidification process. The maximum hardness at 90 min aging time can be mainly attributed to the precipitation shearing mechanism in both matrix areas. The lower hardness value reported at 160 h aging time was estimated that it is derived by the change of the main strengthening mechanism from shearing to Orowan. The island-like precipitates that depleted Ti element from the Ni-rich intergranular area may be identified as a Ni2AlTi Heusler phase

A Method for Quantifying Interaction Forces in Wearable Robots

Immobility due to movement impairments causes many secondary conditions that are a threat to a person's health and quality of life. Wearable robotic mobility aids such as exoskeletons and exosuits are a promising technique to tackle immobility. These devices are attached to the human with cuffs. However, the physical interaction at the human-robot interface is not yet well understood. Misplacement and compression of soft tissue diminish the efficiency of the robot and the comfort for the human. We developed a measurement method that allows us to simultaneously measure cuff interaction forces in normal and tangential direction. The measurement setup was validated in a friction test bench. The test-retest reliability was evaluated in an isolated attachment cuff mounted on a human forearm. Force measurements were repeatable, with error ranges up to 28.7% or 7.8 N in normal, 28.7% or 2.3 N in tangential direction. Our method is the first approach that simultaneously measures normal and tangential forces at the physical interface of wearable robots. The test-retest reliability is within the range of methods that assess only normal forces