A mean-field model for anelastic deformation in metallic-glasses

In this article, a simple mean-field model is developed for quantitatively understanding the anelastic deformation in metallic-glasses (MGs). By relating the anelastic strain of an MG under a constant stress to the constrained configurational transition of liquid-like phases, we are able to derive the dynamic equation that captures the essential features of anelastic deformation hitherto reported. The important implications of this mean-field model are also discussed with reference to the recent findings of nano-scale structural heterogeneity in MGs.