Effect of stress concentration on plastic deformation of Zr_41.2Ti_13.8Cu_12.5Ni₁₀Be_22.5 bulk metallic glass under compressive loading

The influence of different sources of stress concentration on the plastic deformation of the Zr_41.2Ti_13.8Cu_12.5Ni₁₀Be_22.5 metallic glass during room temperature compression tests is evaluated. Stress concentration introduced by sample geometry has a significant effect on the mechanical properties: in contrast to the specimen with square cross-section, which shows negligible plastic deformation, a substantial improvement in the plasticity can be achieved for the sample with round cross-section. Simulations of the stress distribution during the compression tests reveal that the stress concentration at the interface corners is responsible for the early fracture of the sample with square cross-section. Additionally, stress concentration during compression tests in the samples with square cross-section can be significantly reduced, and plastic deformation can be enhanced, by removing the interface corners as well as by reducing the friction arising between loading platens and specimen.