Investigation of Local Shear Transformation in a Metallic Glass by Means of High Amplitude Internal Friction Measurements

摘要

In order to investigate flip-flop transitions of shear transformation zones (STZs) which are believed to be the elementary deformation sites in metallic glasses, internal friction measurements have been conducted for a commercial bulk metallic glass of a Zr-based alloy (Johnson alloy). Since the STZ is an asymmetrical two-level system, it is necessary to measure the internal friction at a high amplitude or under a bias stress condition to detect the transitions. Measurements have been made at temperatures between 130 K and 573 K at frequencies between 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz. The results showed that quite a broad peak appears between 200 K and 500 K in high amplitude internal friction measurements. The broad peak, observed for the first time in metallic glass, is interpreted to be due to flip-flop transitions of STZs having a broad spectrum, 0.5～1.2 eV, of the activation enthalpy.