Achieving high energy absorption capacity in cellular bulk metallic glasses

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Solid Mechanics

Background:

• Cellular bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) demonstrate significant energy absorption due to inherent BMG strength.
• Understanding the mechanisms for high energy absorption in cellular BMGs remains a critical research challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the underlying mechanisms responsible for the remarkable energy absorption capacity in cellular BMGs.
• To identify key factors influencing energy absorption, specifically peak stress and its decay during plastic flow.

Main Methods:

• Step-by-step observation of deformation evolution in cellular BMGs.
• Analysis of peak stress and stress decay during plastic-flow plateau stages.
• Development and validation of an analytical model for peak stress.

Main Results:

• An analytical model for peak stress was proposed and validated against experimental data.
• Stress decay was attributed to cell geometry changes, shear band formation, and BMG work-softening.
• The influence of strut thickness and unit cell number on energy absorption was analyzed.

Conclusions:

• Strategies for enhancing energy absorption in cellular BMGs have been identified.
• The study provides fundamental insights into the mechanical behavior and energy absorption of cellular BMGs.
• The proposed model aids in predicting and optimizing the performance of cellular BMGs.