LAUSR

Abstract Mode I fracture tests were conducted on both as-cast and cold-rolled Zr-Cu-Ni-Al-Nb bulk metallic glass (BMG) single edge notch bend samples. The results show a 54% improved fracture toughness ( K J  = 55.2 vs. 85.0 MPa√m) is obtained by cold rolling to ∼2.5% true strain. The precrack patterns and fractography were also analyzed to evaluate the influence of cold rolling on the fracture process and also the validity of the mode I fracture toughness results. Cold rolling was found to promote numerous shear bands along the main crack, crack bifurcation, and a tortuous crack path, all of which are thought to contribute to the improved toughness. The influence of various precrack morphologies on the fracture toughness results are discussed. It was found that it is difficult to produce perfect standardized precracks in BMGs with heterogeneous glassy structures induced by cold rolling and this issue needs further evaluation if fracture toughness testing standards for BMGs are to be established.