Abstract
The deformation and fracture behaviors of a bulk amorphous metal, Zr-based one (Zr$\_$41.2/Ti$\_$13.8/Cu$\_$12.5/Ni$\_$10/Be$\_$22.5/: Vitreloy), were investigated over a strain rate range (7x10$\^$-4/~4 s$\^$-1/). The uniaxial compression test and the indentation test using 3mm-diameter WC balls were carried out under quasi-static loading conditions. As a result, at the uniaxial compressive state, the fracture stress of the material was very high (~1,700MPa) and the elastic strain limit was about 2%. The fracture strength showed a strain rate independent behavior up to 4 s$\^$-1/. Using indentation tests, the plastic deformation behavior of the Zr-based BAM up to a large strain value of 15% could be achieved, even though it was the deformation under locally constrained condition. The Meyer hardness of the Zr-based BAM measured by static indentation tests was about 5 GPa and it revealed negligible strain hardening behavior. At indented sites, the plastic indentation occurred forming a crater and well-developed multiple shear bands were generated around it along the direction of 45 degree when the indentation load exceeded 7kN. With increasing indentation load, shear bands became dense. The fracture surface of the specimen after uniaxial compressive tests showed vein-like pattern, typical morphology of many BAMs.