Effect of rejuvenation on mechanical behavior and microstructure of Ti-based metallic glass

Abstract

Deep cryogenic cycling treatment (DCT) in conjunction with elastic static loading (ESL) has been shown to rejuvenate metallic glasses by restoring their structure to a high-energy state, thus enhancing their plasticity at room temperature. Although the effects of various rejuvenation methods on metallic glasses have been well-documented, the combined influence of different treatments remains underexplored. A key question in this field is whether the application of elastostatic compression to bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) of varying compositions leads to a transition from relaxation to rejuvenation, an issue that continues to spark debate. Additionally, the fundamental mechanisms underlying deep cryogenic cycling treatment in metallic glasses represent a significant area of recent research. This study seeks to clarify the differences between DCT and ESL, both of which are applied within the elastic limit, and to evaluate the potential for superimposing their individual effects. We focus on a lightweight Ti-Zr-Be-Cu BMG as our experimental material. The BMG samples were subjected to DCT, ESL, and a combination of both processes. We then characterized and compared the mechanical behavior and microstructural alterations induced by each treatment method. Our analysis aims to elucidate the rejuvenation mechanisms associated with these approaches.