Dynamic compressive deformation and failure behavior of Zr-based metallic glass reinforced porous tungsten composite

The dynamic compressive deformation and fracture behavior of the Zr-based metallic glass reinforced porous tungsten composite were investigated at room temperature by means of the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB). Both fracture stress and fracture strain increased significantly compared to the pure metallic glass phase. The deformation behavior of the composite was found to be dominated by the ductile W phase and the 3D net structure of the W phase. It was found that the composite appeared to exhibit some work hardening during the dynamic compressive deformation. The failure mode of the specimen is a mixture of one major shear band and axial splitting, and the shear plane inclined similar to 56 degrees with respect to the loading axis. Scanning election microscope (SEM) was used to evaluate damage initiation and propagation. It was found that the increase of fracture stress and fracture strain is due to the interaction between localized shear banding and axial splitting, promoting additional fracture surface area, and large volume fraction of ductile W phase. The dynamic compressive deformation and fracture behavior of the composite are discussed by taking the effect of the complex stress state within the composite into account. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.