Ti-based amorphous/nanocrystal composite with high ductility and strain-hardening

The mechanical behavior of a Ti-based amorphous/nanocrystal composite was studied by micro-compression testing. The results show that this composite has high ductility and strain-hardening. The deformability improvement is attributed to the nucleation, multiplication and interaction of localized shear flows and shear bands during deformation. Microscopic observations indicate that compressive loading facilitates nanocrystal precipitation in the amorphous matrix, which interact with crack propagation through the amorphous matrix, resulting in remarkable plasticity.