AUTHOR=Kalcher Constanze , Adjaoud Omar , Albe Karsten 

TITLE=Creep Deformation of a Cu-Zr Nanoglass and Interface Reinforced Nanoglass-Composite Studied by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Materials

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/materials/articles/10.3389/fmats.2020.00223

DOI=10.3389/fmats.2020.00223

ISSN=2296-8016

ABSTRACT=<p>Using molecular dynamics simulations, we compare the creep properties of a homogeneous Cu<sub>64</sub>Zr<sub>36</sub> metallic glass, a nanoglass with the same nominal composition, and a nanoglass-crystal composite, where the amorphous grain boundary phase has been reinforced with the high-temperature stable Cu<sub>2</sub>Zr Laves phase. While the nanoglass architecture is successful at preventing shear band formation, which typically results in a brittle failure mode at room temperature and conventional loading conditions, we find that the high fraction of glass-glass grain boundary phase therein is not beneficial to its creep properties. This can be amended by reinforcing the glass-glass interphase with a high-temperature stable crystalline substitute.</p>