Abstract
Nanoindentation measurements were performed on as-cast and torsionally deformed Zr44Ti11Cu10Ni10Be25 bulk metallic glass samples. Distribution of the measured hardness values shows peak-increasing and widening as an effect of the plastic pre-deformation. Variation in the strength of the deformation affected material and the origin of strain hardening is explained by key characteristics of shear transformation zones in bulk metallic glasses.
•Increase of the average hardness was observed for torsionally deformed Vit1b BMG.•STZ based weakest link model reproduces homogeneous strain hardening of BMGs.•Spatial fluctuations and wider hardness distribution form under plastic deformation.•Internal stress field of shear bands accounts for the strong hardness fluctuations.