Reversible transition of deformation mode by structural rejuvenation and relaxation in bulk metallic glass

A transition of the deformation mode from heterogeneous, localized deformation to homogeneous deformation was observed in Zr50Cu40Al10 bulk metallic glass (BMG) by giant straining using the high-pressure torsion (HPT) method. The transition is accompanied by a pronounced decrease in hardness and elastic modulus as measured by nanoindentation. Annealing of the deformed BMG resulted in the restoration of the localized deformation, hardness, and elastic modulus; thus, the transition is reversible. The observed reversible transition can be attributed to a change in the local atomic environment in the rejuvenated volume and the relaxed one.