Thermal activation in Au-based bulk metallic glass characterized by high-temperature nanoindentation

High-temperature nanoindentation experiments have been conducted on a Au49Ag5.5Pd2.3Cu26.9Si16.3 bulk metallic glass from 30to140°C, utilizing loading rates ranging from 0.1to100mN∕s. Generally, the hardness decreased with increasing temperature. An inhomogeneous-to-homogeneous flow transition was clearly observed when the test temperature approached the glass transition temperature. Analyses of the pop-in pattern and hardness variation showed that the inhomogeneous-to-homogeneous transition temperature was loading-rate dependent. Using a free-volume model, the authors deduced the size of the basic flow units and the activation energy for the homogeneous flow. In addition, the strain rate dependency of the transition temperature was predicted.