The interaction of shear bands with crystalline nanoprecipitates in
Cu-Zr-based metallic glasses is investigated by a combination of
high-resolution TEM imaging and molecular-dynamics computer simulations. Our
results reveal different interaction mechanisms: Shear bands can dissolve
precipitates, can wrap around crystalline obstacles, or can be blocked
depending on size and density of the precipitates. If the crystalline phase has
a low yield strength, we also observe slip transfer through the precipitate.
Based on the computational results and experimental findings, a qualitative
mechanism map is proposed that categorizes the various processes as a function
of the critical stress for dislocation nucleation, precipitate size, and
distance.Comment: 16 pages, 15 figure
