Analysis of Zr55Al10Cu30Ni5 bulk metallic glass pitting behavior in distilled water environment leading to fatigue-corrosion rupture

Abstract Even though formation of corrosion pits is reported on Zr-based BMGs prone to fatigue loading immersed in corrosive environments, the characterizations of the pit growth and its transition to the fatigue crack are still particularly vague. To enhance the comprehension on this critical issue, the present work examines the fatigue behavior of Zr55Al10Cu30Ni5 (at.%) BMG under four-point bending loading configuration in air and in distilled water. Specimens exposed to water environment emphasized presence of corrosion pits, leading to a decrease of the fatigue resistance in comparison with air. Furthermore, the pit-to-crack transition phenomenon emphasizes strong similarities with the Kondo's mechanism.