Mechanical properties of single crystalline and glassy lithium triborate

Mechanical properties of LiB₃O₅ single crystal plates with different orientation as well as of glass with the same composition have been investigated. The nano‐ (H) and microhardness (H_M), the reduced Young's modulus (E_r) and the crack behaviour of the samples were studied. Both hardness and Young's modulus of glass appeared smaller in comparison to corresponding single crystal data (H ∼ 7 – 8 GPa, H_M ∼ 6 GPa, E_r ∼ 70 – 80 GPa for glass and H ∼ 10 – 15 GPa, H_M ∼ 6 –11 GPa, E_r ∼ 93 – 155 GPa for single crystal). H, E_r, and the plane of crack propagation proved orientation‐dependent. Cracks in the glass sample were not observed up to 0.49 N microindentation load, whereas for the single crystal the cracks appeared already at 0.098N. In single crystals the observed cleavage planes {211} and/or {412} are oriented nearly parallel to planes of B‐O rings. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A study of mechanical homogeneity in as-cast bulk metallic glass by nanoindentation

A surface softening effect induced during copper-mould suction casting of bulk metallic glass is investigated as a function of rod diameter and glass fragility index, m, by nanoindentation. A reduction in hardness and reduced modulus at the rod surface is found to be favoured in small diameter castings and in fragile systems, respectively resulting from limited in-situ annealing and from a greater diversity of metastable atomic environments in the potential energy landscape of fragile glasses. Enhanced propensity for shear transformation zone nucleation in the low moduli surface is explained in terms of reduced atomic connectivity arising from a reduction in local co-ordination number and a lowering of the shear modulus. Finally, the structure and mechanical diversity that is possible in as-cast bulk metallic glass rods is explored through a relative quantification of shear modulus and plastic zone size across the whole as-cast state and in a single rod. These findings illustrate the sensitivity of bulk metallic glass to preparation, especially in respect of thermal history, potentially making replication of mechanical data between researchers problematic.     

Nanomechanical properties of commercial float glass

The float process produces flat glass with a tin-rich surface due to contact with the molten metal bath. The incorporation of tin into the glass network is expected to modify the mechanical properties of the surface and the relative durability of the two sides of the material. In this work nanoindentation was used to evaluate the elastic modulus and hardness of a 2 mm thick commercial float glass. The near-surface elastic modulus (depths < 400 nm) of both sides of the glass was elevated by up to 10%, and could not be attributed solely to the presence of tin. However, slight differences in hardness (<10%) between the air and tin sides of the float glass were observed. These results suggest that tin may alter the flow properties of the glass, but the elastic modulus changes are masked by other structural and chemical differences between the air and tin sides of the float glass.     

Variations in the mechanical properties of glass induced by high-pressure phase change

The elastic property of As₂Se₃ glass has been determined under high pressure from the data of the sound wave velocities and density. The sound velocities in As₂Se₃ glass have been measured under hydrostatic pressure up to 20 kb by means of ultrasonic interferometry. Sound velocities for both the longitudinal and shear mode, bulk modulus and shear modulus were found to increase linearly with pressure up to 8 kb. Above 9 kb the pressure derivatives diminished. The acoustic Grüneisen parameter shows an abrupt decrease at about 9 kb.Comparisons were made among the observed values of the volume ratio V/V₀, the isothermal bulk modulus K_T and the pressure derivative K′_T, and predictions based upon the Murnaghan equation or the lattice theory equation of state for solids. It is concluded that the abrupt changes in the parameters are probably due to a phase transition in glass at 9–10 kb.The clear resolution of the bulk modulus on both sides of the transition enables one to compute all the mechanical properties of the high-pressure phase, using the law of corresponding states. The decrease of K′_T from 7.86 to 6 in the high-pressure phase change is consistent with the change of density from 4.60 to 4.75.A modified equation of state has been proposed to describe the elastic property of glass. This equation includes a variable parameter C which reflects the volume change in glass due to bond angle change with pressure. By this equation the pressure dependence of C can also explain the elastic anomaly of silica glass as well as the variation of elastic constants of As₂Se₃ glass across the phase transition pressure.     

Nanoindentation investigation of amorphous hydrogenated carbon thin films deposited by ECR-MPCVD

Nanomechanical properties of amorphous hydrogenated carbon thin films are performed by nanoindentation technique. The amorphous hydrogenated carbon films are produced on silicon substrate by electron cyclotron resonance microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (ECR-MPCVD). The effect of negative bias voltage on amorphous hydrogenated carbon films is examined by Raman spectroscopy and the results showed that the intensity ratio of D-peak to G-peak (I_D/I_G) of amorphous hydrogenated carbon films at various bias voltages, increased as the bias voltage increased. The results also showed that Young’s modulus and hardness also increased as the bias voltage increased. In addition, Young’s modulus and hardness both decreased as the indentation depth increased.     

Studies of some mechanical and optical properties of: (70 − x)TeO2 + 15B2O3 + 15P2O5 + xLi2O glasses

Specimens of the glassy system: (70 − x)TeO₂ + 15B₂O₃ + 15P₂O₅ + xLi₂O, where x = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 mol% were prepared by the melt-quenching. An ultrasonic pulse-echo technique was employed, at 5 MHz, for measuring: the ultrasonic attenuation, longitudinal and shear wave velocities, elastic moduli, Poisson ratio, Debye temperature and hardness of the present glasses. It is found that the gradual replacement of TeO₂ by Li₂O in the glass matrix up to 30 mol% leads to decrease the average crosslink density and rigidity of prepared samples which affects the properties, i.e., the hardness, ultrasonic wave velocities and elastic moduli are decreased, while the Poisson ratio and the ultrasonic attenuation are increased. Also, optical absorption spectra were recorded in the range, 200-800 nm for these glasses. The obtained results showed that a gradual shift in the fundamental absorption edge toward longer wavelengths occurred. Values of both of the optical energy gap, E_opt, and width tails, ΔE, are determined. It is observed that E_opt is decreased and ΔE increased with the increase of Li₂O in the glass matrix up to 30 mol%. The compositional dependences of the above properties are discussed and correlated to the structure of tested glasses.     

Influence of structural relaxation on atomic mobility in a Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu125Ni10.0Be22.5 (Vit1) bulk metallic glass

The effect of an annealing at a temperature above or below the glass transition temperature in a Zr_41.2Ti_13.8Cu₁₂₅Ni_10.0Be_22.5 bulk metallic glass was investigated using dynamic mechanical analysis. Structural relaxation influences both the storage modulus (elastic component) and the loss modulus (viscoelastic component). Kinetics can be captured by a stretched exponential relaxation function. Experimental results are correctly described using a physical model based on the concept of defects for the mechanical response of amorphous materials and especially for the characteristic time relative to atomic mobility.     

Mechanical properties of a TAS fiber: a preliminary study

The mechanical properties, including elastic moduli, hardness, fracture toughness and tensile strength of a glass fiber in the Te-As-Se system (TAS) were studied. The values for the hardness (1.4 GPa) and the fracture toughness (0.18 MPa √m) show that this glass is both soft and brittle in comparison to glasses from other systems. However, indentation measurements should be interpreted with caution due to an indentation creep phenomenon and to a delayed fracture process. In addition, the effect of treatments in air (relative humidity about 60%) at different temperatures below T_g were investigated. The main result of this study is that the studied TAS glass is sensitive to the presence of humidity, and aging treatments have a pronounced detrimental effect on the strength of the uncoated fibers.     

Synthesis and optical properties of purified translucent,orthorhombic boron nitride films

Large-area (>1 cm²) freestanding translucent orthorhombic boron nitride (oBN) films have been synthesized by magnetron sputtering at a low radio-frequency power of 120 W. The structural characterizations were performed by means of X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that oBN is a direct band gap semiconductor (E_g∼3.43 eV). Excited by ultraviolet laser (wavelength at 325 nm), the oBN films emit strong white light, which can be seen by the naked eyes in the dark. In the photoluminescence spectrum, besides the ultraviolet near-band-edge radiative recombination emission, there are three visible emission bands (centered at 400, 538, and 700 nm) arising from the defect-related deep-level centers of oBN, which are mixed to form the white light emission. The hardness and elastic modulus of oBN films are 11.5 and 94 GPa, respectively, examined by nanoindentation measurements.     

Extended elastic model for flow in metallic glasses

We report that both shear and bulk moduli, not only shear modulus, are critical parameters involved in both homogeneous and inhomogeneous flows in metallic glass. The flow activation energy (?F) of various glasses when scaled with average molar volume V_m, which is defined as flow activation energy density ρ_E = ?F/V_m, can be expressed as: . The extended elastic model is suggestive for understanding the glass transition and deformation in metallic glasses.     

The elastic behaviour of TeO2 glass under uniaxial and hydrostatic pressure

TeO₂ glass of purity exceeding 98.5 mol.% has been made, despite earlier suggestions that some 7.5–10 mol.% of modifier is required to form vitreous telluride networks. It is argued that in view of the high purity of the glass obtained, TeO₂ may well be able to form glass by itself, given an appropriate thermal history in preparation. The hydrostatic and uniaxial pressure dependences of ultrasonic waves propagated in this glass at room temperature have been measured. The results provide the second and third order elastic constants of the glass. The bulk modulus is consistent with a ring diameter averaging about 8 atoms (Te₄O₄ rings) suggesting that the glass is a disordered version of paratellurite; however, if the TeO bending force constant were to be unusually strong, then a larger ring diameter (as in tellurite) would be indicated. Although the anion coordination number is only 4, the pressure derivatives of the second order elastic constants are positive and the third order elastic constants are negative, in marked contrast to the anomalous behaviour of silica-based glasses. These findings suggest that bond bending motions of bridging atoms between the trigonal bypyramidal groups (which are the structural units) do not play an important role in the elastic properties of TeO₂ glass. In consequence the shear and oongitudinal acoustic mode Grüneisen parameters are both positive (γ₁ = +2.14, γ_s = +1.11): the long wavelength acoustic modes stiffen under hydrostatic pressure.     

Elastic properties of GeSbSe glasses

The results of the measurement of transverse and longitudinal sound velocities on eigth glass compositions of the GeSbSe system are reported and their elastic moduli evaluated. While the velocities, elastic moduli and Debye temperature show variation with composition for Ge_xSb₁₀Se_90?x glasses, they are essentially constant for the glasses with stoichiometric compositions. The dependence of bulk modulus on mean atomic volume has been analysed. Both the mean atomic volume and the type of bonding are found to be effective in determining the composition dependence of bulk modulus.     

Elasticity, thermal expansion and compressive behavior of Mg65Cu25Tb10 bulk metallic glass

The existence of special covalently bonded short-range ordering structures in a Mg₆₅Cu₂₅Tb₁₀ bulk metallic glass (BMG) is confirmed by thermal expansion and compression behavior. Under ambient conditions the linear thermal expansion coefficient obtained is almost constant in the glassy state with a value of 4.0 × 10⁻⁵ K⁻¹. By fitting the static equation of state at room temperature under ambient conditions we find the value for bulk modulus B of 48.7 GPa, which is in excellent agreement with the experimental study by pulse-echo techniques of 44.7 GPa. Unlike many bulk metallic glasses, such as Zr- and Pd-based, which bulk modulus is much larger than 100 GPa, the value B of Mg₆₅Cu₂₅Tb₁₀ BMG falls into the range of SiO₂ and fluorozirconate glass ZBLAN. Moreover, the elastic constant of the Mg₆₅Cu₂₅Tb₁₀ BMG is almost the same as those of ZBLAN. No evidence for the high-pressure phase transitions of the Mg₆₅Cu₂₅Tb₁₀ BMG has been found up to 31.19 GPa at room temperature.     

Synthesis and mechanical properties of Zr-based bulk amorphous alloys

Design and characterization of bulk amorphous alloys has been an active area of research due to their promising thermal and mechanical properties. An alloy composition Z₆₅Cu₁₇Ni₁₀Al₈ was designed and synthesized by Cu mold casting. In the base alloy 2 at.% Gd was added to study its effect on thermal and mechanical properties. Characterization of the alloys was done by techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Many thermal parameters were evaluated to investigate the thermal stability and glass-forming ability of the alloys. In addition, the mechanical properties like nanohardness, elastic modulus and elastic recovery were measured. Thermal properties and activation energy reduced while mechanical properties like nanohardness, elastic modulus and percentage elastic recovery (% R) increased with Gd addition.     

Mechanical properties and ion irradiation of bulk amorphous Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5 alloy

The bulk amorphous Zr₅₅Cu₃₀Al₁₀Ni₅ alloy is one of the widely studied Zr-based alloys due to very attractive thermal and mechanical properties. Alloy ribbons and bulk samples were synthesized by Cu mould casting and characterized by SEM/EDS, DSC and XRD. Mechanical properties like Vicker’s hardness, nanohardness and elastic modulus etc. were measured. Ion irradiation of the samples was carried out to enhance the surface properties without altering the amorphous nature of the bulk material. Ion irradiation by singly charged Ar⁺ enhanced the hardness as well as elastic modulus considerably.     

Bulk glass formation and mechanical properties for Cu–Hf–Ti–M (M = B,Y) alloys

The glass forming ability (GFA), nanohardness H_n and Young’s modulus E of ternary alloys in the compositional series Cu₆₀Hf_40−xTi_x (x = 5–35) are reported and discussed. Bulk glass formation was observed for the three alloys x = 17.5, 20 and 22.5, with critical rod diameters d_c for a fully glassy structure of 4, 4 and 3 mm, respectively. A d_c of 4 mm was also observed for the Cu₅₅Hf₂₅Ti₂₀ alloy. These compositions generally had the highest values of reduced glass temperature while no correlation was observed between the GFA and the parameter ΔT_x. Both H_n and E surprisingly showed minima at ∼20 at.%Ti for the Cu₆₀Hf_40−xTi_x series. The addition of 1 at.%B or Y to the Cu₆₀Hf_22.5Ti_17.5 alloy slightly decreased the GFA but slightly increased the elastic modulus.     

Structural transformation on Se0.8Te0.2 chalcogenide glass

Using X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the structure and the crystallization mechanism of Se_0.8Te_0.2 chalcogenide glass has been studied. The structure of the crystalline phase has been refined using the Rietveld technique. The crystal structure is hexagonal with lattice parameter a = 0.443 nm and c = 0.511 nm. The average crystallite size obtained using Scherrer equation is equal 16.2 nm, so it lies in the nano-range. From the radial distribution function, the short range order (SRO) of the amorphous phase has been discussed. The structure unit of the SRO is regular tetrahedron with (r₂/r₁) = 1.61. The Se_0.8Te_0.2 glassy sample obeys the chemical order network model, CONM. Some amorphous structural parameters have been deduced. The crystallization mechanism of the amorphous phase is one-dimensional growth. The calculated value of the glass transition activation energy (E_g) and the crystallization activation energy (E_c) are 159.8 ± 0.3 and 104.3 ± 0.51 kJ/mol, respectively.     

Crystallization behavior of rare-earth doped fluorochlorozirconate glasses

A series of fluorochlorozirconate (FCZ) glasses, each doped with a different rare-earth, was prepared and examined to determine thermal stability and activation energy, E_a, of the dopant dependent BaCl₂ crystallization. Non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements were done to investigate the endothermic and exothermic reactions upon heat treatment of the glass samples. In comparison to the rare-earth free FCZ glass, significant changes in the Hruby constant, H_r, and E_a were found due to the addition of a rare-earth and also between the individual dopants.     

Elastic constants,hardness and their implications to flow properties of metallic glasses

The longitudinal and transverse sound velocities and Vickers hardness of metallic glasses (Pd_{1 ? x}Ni_x)_0.80P_0.20, (Pd_{1 ? x}Fe_x)_0.80P_0.20 and (Pt_{1 ? x}Ni_x)_0.75P_0.25 have been measured. The elastic constants at room temperature exhibit a positive deviation with composition χ from linearity whereas the hardness shows a negative deviation. The increase in elastic constants has been attributed to a denser packing of the alloys on mixing. The reduced hardness H_rH/μ versus χ exhibits a remarkable similarity to a T_g versus χ relationship. This seems to indicate that flow mechanisms involved in metallic glasses above and below the glass-transition temperature are of similar origins. It is the excess entropy of disorder associated with alloying which lowers the hardness as well as the viscosity of metallic glasses. The metallic glasses possess in general a relatively high Poisson's ratio ν ≈ 0.40 and a shear modulus approaching that of the noble metals Cu, Ag and Au. Among the metallic glasses observed, the PtP glasses exhibit the highest ν = 0.42, whereas the glasses containing Fe tend to have lower values. The phenomenon that the conduction electrons in the glassy alloys behave as in the noble metals may be partly attributed to the filling of d shell orbitals of the transition metals in the PtP, PdP and NiP alloys. The high ν of metallic glasses is believed to be responsible for the ductile behavior of these glasses. Poisson's ratio ν of metallic glasses was observed to decrease with decreasing temperature. It is suggested that the decreasing ν with falling temperature causes the rapid increase in the fracture strength of Fe-based glasses.     

Elastic property differences in a multi-mode optical fiber and the effect on predicted mechanical lifetime

Multi-mode optical fibers are used for high energy transmission. One configuration of such fibers has a fluorine-doped silica cladding, and a pure silica core. Nanoindentation measurements of elastic modulus and hardness in the core and cladding of such a fiber are presented, and compared to those in the preform. The cladding region is softer, and has a significantly lower elastic modulus than the core in both the fiber and preform. Ultrasonic measurements made on core and clad materials extracted from the preform confirm the observed elastic property differences in the fiber. Water-immersion mandrel wrap data for time to failure of up to ~ 1 year are analyzed to obtain allowable design stresses for 30 year lifetime for the fiber. Incorporating the lower clad elastic modulus leads to design stresses that are ~ 20–25% lower than those predicted without taking the correct modulus into account.