Thermodynamic origins of shear band formation and the universal scaling law of metallic glass strength

Phys Rev Lett. 2009 Aug 7;103(6):065504. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.065504. Epub 2009 Aug 7.

Abstract

We report a universal scaling law, tau_{y} = 3R(T_{g}-RT)/V, that uncovers an inherent relationship of the yield strength tau_{y} with the glass transition temperature T_{g} and molar volume V of metallic glasses. This equation is derived from fundamental thermodynamics and validated by various metallic glasses with well-defined yielding. The linearity between tau_{y} and T_{g} demonstrates the intrinsic correlation between yielding and glass-liquid transition, which contributes to the basic understanding of the strength and deformation of glassy alloys.