Abstract
Direct current electropulsing was used to improve the plasticity of (Zr 53 Cu 30 Ni 9 Al 8 ) 99.5 Si 0.5 bulk metallic glasses. After the electropulsing treatment, the specimen showed reductions in both the glass transition and the crystallization temperatures while retaining its amorphous structure, and both Young's modulus and the hardness decreased while the nanoindentation loading curve became more serrated. Using the bond-interface method and Vickers indentation, the treated specimen showed more branching of semi-circular shear bands and less radial shear bands compared to its as-cast counterpart. The possible plasticity enhancement mechanism of the electropulsing treatment was also discussed. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. All rights reserved.