Abstract
Shear bands (SBs) play an important role in controlling plastic flow, identifying large shear strain, and
detecting failure in metallic glass (MG). Interaction between individual SBs by a shearing or blocking
mechanism remains an open question. In this study, we report insights into the mechanical behavior
of shear bands using in situ Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
topography analysis, friction measurements and finite element (FE) simulations. These experiments
are developed with notched Pd42.5Cu30Ni7.5P20, Zr65Ni10Cu15Al10, and Cu60Zr30Ti10 MG ribbons. By
applying uniaxial loading tension, we find different distributions of the SB offsets arising in the notch
root as a function of the strength of the stress field, and we also find that many pre-existing bands
remain inactive. Numerical results based on the extension of a 2D FE model to a 3D model constructed
with the Abaqus/implicit code provide details of the interaction mechanisms. Blocking induces
hardening through interaction. This hardening is revealed by 3D simulation and confirmed by AFM
friction data. While the shearing mechanism works for interaction between shear bands with similar
compressive or tensile axial residual stress profiles, blocking arises from dissimilar axial residual stress
profiles.
