Quantitative evaluation of lengthscales for temperature rise in shear bands and for failure of metallic glasses

The energetics of shear bands in metallic glasses are evaluated with a property database and finite element simulation. Length-scales for temperature rise and failure are derived. Literature reports show that shear displacement occurs in a thickness of a few tens of nanometers. Then, the temperature rises and the shear band propagates with loss of traction. A slab contributes elastic energy to the band, which is tens to hundreds of micrometers thick. Some of the micrometer thickness is heated above the glass transition. (C) 2008 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.