Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Indirect Fabrication of Lattice Metals with Thin Sections Using Centrifugal Casting
Published on: May 14, 2016
Continuum modeling of bulk metallic glasses and composites
Fadi Abdeljawad1, Mikko Haataja
1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA. fabdelja@princeton.edu
Tailoring microstructure in bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) enhances ductility by promoting homogeneous plastic deformation. Simulations reveal short-range correlations and particle size are key to improving BMG mechanical properties.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) possess high strength and elasticity at low temperatures.
- BMGs suffer from limited ductility due to localized deformation and shear band propagation.
- Microstructural tailoring offers a promising route to enhance BMG ductility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively analyze the influence of microstructure on the deformation behavior of monolithic BMGs and BMG composites.
- To identify key microstructural features governing ductility in BMGs.
- To provide insights for improving the mechanical properties of BMGs.
Main Methods:
- A continuum approach was employed for quantitative analysis.
- Computational simulations were used to model deformation behavior.
- The study investigated both monolithic BMGs and BMG composites.
Main Results:
- Short-ranged structural correlations were found to be crucial for ductility in monolithic BMGs.
- Particle size was identified as a critical factor controlling ductility in BMG composites.
- The findings highlight the importance of microstructural features at different length scales.
Conclusions:
- Microstructural design is essential for overcoming the ductility limitations of BMGs.
- Understanding structure-property relationships enables the development of advanced BMGs.
- This research opens new avenues for enhancing the mechanical performance of bulk metallic glasses.
Related Concept Videos
Metallic Solids
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability. Many...
Theory of Metallic Conduction
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
Molecular and Ionic Solids
Molecular Solids
Molecular crystalline solids, such as ice, sucrose (table sugar), and iodine, are solids that are composed of neutral molecules as their constituent units. These molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonds, which...
Yield Criteria for Ductile Materials under Plane Stress
The Maximum Shearing Stress Criterion, also known as the...
Conservation of Mass in Fixed, Nondeforming Control Volume
In the case of a sewer pipe, which can be modeled...
Network Covalent Solids
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...

