Effect on microstructure and plastic deformation behavior of a Zr-based amorphous alloy by cooling rate control

•The cooling rate was adjusted by changing the mold material.•The cooling rates of different molds were measured by thermocouples.•the cooling curves are in agreement with the ExpDec2 function model.•The effective sizes of vein-like patterns of compression samples were measured.•The amount of free volume mainly affects plasticity.