Work hardening in Ti48Zr29Ni6Ta1Be16 metallic glass matrix composites at cryogenic temperature

A Ti-based metallic glass matrix composite (MGMC), which contains abundant primary α′ and ω phases in dendrites, has a strong work-hardening ability. A significant martensitic transformation occurred during plastic deformation at 298 K, and deformation twins were produced at 77 K. Transformation-induced plasticity and twinning-induced plasticity enable MGMC to achieve prominent strength–plasticity synergy. At 298 K, the alloy exhibits a yield strength (YS) of 1140 MPa and a uniform elongation (UE) of 8.1%, while at 77 K, the YS increases to 1520 MPa, still maintaining a UE of 4.6%. The prediction models of the temperature dependent YS and martensite trigger stress (σSIM) in MGMC were established. The strengthening and toughening mechanisms provide a great theoretical guidance for the development of low-temperature high-performance MGMCs.