Finite-element analysis for high-temperature deformation of bulk metallic glasses in a supercooled liquid region based on the free volume constitutive model

A constitutive relation based on the free volume model was developed to describe the strain-rate-dependent deformation behavior of bulk metallic glasses (BMG) at temperatures within the supercooled liquid region (SLR). Validity of the present approach has consequently been assessed by comparing the numerical results obtained from finite-element analyses with the experimental results previously obtained from compression tests of Vitreloy-1 BMG alloy. Finite-element-method simulations combined with free volume constitutive relations were found to reproduce well the plastic deformation behavior of Vitreloy-1 alloy, exhibiting a Newtonian viscous flow without stress overshoot and also a non-Newtonian viscous flow with stress overshoot at temperatures within the SLR. The present approach appears to provide a powerful means of understanding plastic deformation behavior in relation to localized and uniform deformation and also of making reliable formability estimations of BMG alloys.