Deformation behavior of tungsten wires enhanced Zr-based bulk metallic glass composite at high strain rate

A tungsten-wires strengthened Zr41.25Ti13.75Ni10Cu12.5Be22.5 bulk metallic glass composite was fabricated by a melt infiltration cast process. Qauasistatic (1 x 10(-4) s(-1)) and dynamic (2 x 10(3) s(-1)) compressive experiments are carried out for the composite and monolithic material. The results showed that the composite exhibits a compressive strength of 1980 MPa which is similar to that of the matrix, and a plastic strain of 11.5% which is 5 times of that of the matrix under quasistatic compressive deformation. Under dynamic compressive load, the compressive strength of the composite is promoted to 2648 MPa, the plastic strain is in a range from 1.8% to 7.5% and the strain rate sensitivity of the composite is 0.022. Under quasistatic condition, the compressive strength is influenced by residual thermal stress and the critical stress of the tungsten wires. Under dynamic compressive condition, besides the residual thermal stress, the main factors are the shear fracture of tungsten wires and the sinusoidal buckling of the composite.