Layer thickness dependent strengthening and strain delocalization mechanism in CuTa nanopillars with nanoscale amorphous/amorphous interfaces

Introducing amorphous/amorphous interfaces in metallic glasses offers an effective strategy to address the strength-plasticity trade-off by suppressing the strain localization. Elucidating the underlying size-dependent deformation mechanisms is crucial for designing strong and ductile amorphous nanolayered materials. Herein, molecular dynamics simulations are conducted to investigate the deformation behaviors of Cu70Ta30/Cu30Ta70 amorphous/amorphous nanopillars (AANPs) under compression, focusing on the intrinsic size effect of amorphous layer thickness. The results indicate a critical layer thickness of approximately 6.7 nm, below which an inverse Hall-Petch relation occurs. This transition is attributed to a shift in dominant deformation mode from the necking and localized deformation to the relatively homogeneous deformation as the layer thicknesses decreases. These A/A interfaces could be considered as a third medium phase in nanolaminates, especially when the thickness is very low, down to only a few of nm. The mechanical properties and deformation behavior of transitional interface phase lie between those of soft and hard phases, balancing heterogeneous deformation between hard and soft layers and resulting in homogeneous flow deformation of specimen with thinner amorphous layer. These findings provide insight for designing ductile amorphous materials through architecting nanoscale amorphous/amorphous interfaces. [Display omitted] •MD simulations are performed to explore the mechanical behaviors of CuTa/CuTa amorphous/amorphous nanopillars.•The mechanical properties and deformation mechanism are closely related to the amorphous layer thickness.•At a critical thickness of 6.7 nm, there is an inversion of the Hall-Petch relation.•The deformation mode switches from necking and localized deformation to relatively homogeneous deformation.•Amorphous/amorphous interfaces act as a medium phase, balancing heterogeneous deformation between hard and soft layers.